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https://www.annistonstar.com/news/anniston/lake-yahou-parks-public-opening-approaches/article_6e29423a-afa8-11ec-85fb-db50d17d1a1e.html
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Note: This article contains minor edits from its original print version of March 30, 2022.
Lake Yahou Park, a recreational area located a stone's throw from Veterans Memorial Parkway, is expected to be open for use by Memorial Day.
On Tuesday the McClellan Development Authority voted unanimously to adopt rules for the lake’s operation and management as work continues to get the area ready.
Crews were busy Tuesday installing a new iron entry gate, while in the coming weeks picnic tables, benches, an informative kiosk, pet waste receptacles and signage will be installed.
Some of the work, such as the clearing of underbrush, has been delayed due to recent rains.
“The weather’s been killing us,” Julie Moss, MDA director, said during the meeting.
The 8-acre lake is located down a short paved road via a spur near the U.S. 431-Iron Mountain Road intersection.
Fishing at the lake — catch and release — will be allowed but visitors still must buy a $5-per-year fishing license from the MDA once the lake opens later this year. Over the past several years, several species of fish have been stocked in the lake.
Jason Odom, general counsel for the MDA, said after the meeting the lake hasn’t seen any recreational use since the days of Fort McClellan’s operation. The post was shut down toward the end of 1999.
“They had camping and fishing up there, the old Vietnam village was in the vicinity of Yahou Lake where they trained for going into the shacks and huts and everything, that village was torn down in the back in the late ’70s,” Odom said.
Odom said the lake was drained to repair its dam and environmental testing was done.
“We’ve tested the sediment, we’ve tested fish, there’s no contamination in the lake,” Odom said.
A visit to the lake Tuesday revealed a hidden gem of natural beauty. A half-mile trail encircles the lake and an adjoining trail connects to other trails for cyclists, hikers, walkers and runners. Camping at the lake is not possible at this time as officials evaluate early demand for visitation at the site.
The lake was teeming with life. Several Canada geese were swimming on the mirrored blue surface of the lake as turtles clung to stumps and logs in the midday sun. Along the banks thousands of tadpoles were swimming amongst spiney green grasses that were emerging from the water. Spring wildflowers were seen beside the lake in a forested area of hardwoods and pines.
The lake was built by Army engineers in the mid-1960s by damming Remount Creek.
Moss also reminded MDA board members that the NICA Alabama Cycling Association State Championship will be at the McClellan Bike Trails on May 7-8.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/sports/high_school/prep-roundup-robertson-gilman-lead-oxford-past-central-florence/article_73d1dc6c-b16d-11ec-9c21-430140312075.html
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Sam Robertson and Hudson Gilman drove in three runs apiece, and Oxford downed Central Florence 11-1 on Thursday at Choccolocco Park.
Robertson went 2-for-3 with two runs, and Gilman was 1-for-3. Both players hit a double as the Yellow Jackets improved to 21-5.
Oxford’s other top performers:
—Peyton Watts, 1-for-3, double, two runs, RBI.
—Drew McCormick, 1-for-1, RBI.
—Hayes Harrison, 1-for-2, double, run, RBI.
—Carter Johnson, run, RBI.
—Dalton Fink, 1-for-2, triple; allowed four hits, one earned run and one walk with three strikeouts in four innings.
—Forrest Heacock, 1-for-2, run.
—Miguel Mitchell, 1-for-2, run.
Softball
Pleasant Valley 11, Weaver 6: Lily Henry and Gracee Ward homered to highlight the day at the plate for Pleasant Valley (15-9-1). Henry was 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs, and Ward went 1-for-3 with a run and two RBIs.
The Raiders scored four runs in the third inning and seven in the fourth.
Other top performers for Pleasant Valley:
—Taylor Nix, 2-for-4, double, run, RBI.
—Macey Roper, 1-for-4, two runs, RBI.
—Madyson Cromer, 1-for-2, double, RBI.
—Kaydence Griffin, 1-for-3, run.
—Morgan Blohm, 1-for-3, double, run, RBI.
Top performers for Weaver:
—Sydney Bitzer, 2-for-4, two runs.
—Peyton Marvasty, 2-for-4, double, run, RBI.
—Madison Atchley, 2-for-4, run, RBI.
—Tiana Lawrence, 1-for-4, run, RBI.
—Hannah Hise, 2-for-3, run, two RBIs.
—Alanah Cooper, 1-for-3, double, RBI.
Piedmont 13, Ohatchee 7: Emily Farmer homered and drove in two runs as Piedmont improved to 8-5.
Other top performers for Piedmont:
—Emma Grace Todd, 1-for-4, triple, run, RBI.
—Jenna Calvert, 1-for-4, run, RBI.
—Savannah Smith, 2-for-4, three runs.
—Cacey Brothers, 3-for-4, three runs, two RBIs.
—Cayla Brothers, 1-for-3, double, two runs, two RBIs.
—Z’Hayla Walker, 1-for-4, two RBIs.
—Armoni Perry, 2-for-2, RBI.
—Ava Pope, 1-for-2, two RBIs.
Top performers for Ohatchee:
—Kylee Barnes, 1-for-4, home run, two RBIs.
—Mackenzie Luna, 2-for-4, home run, three RBIs.
—Savannah Reaves, double, 1-for-3, two runs.
—Hannah Fitch, 1-for-4, run, RBI.
—Whitney McFry, 1-for-4, run.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_daily_home/dh_sports/childersburg-tcc-s-cam-swain-leads-1a-3a-all-talladega-county-team/article_97d4b6b6-b172-11ec-b36e-db558acc81ea.html
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Even though Childersburg only had one experienced player returning from last season, head coach Johnny Johnson knew that his 2021-2022 team had a chance to make a deep run in the postseason.
Johnson was right as the Tigers finished the season with a 24-8 record falling to Plainview 67-51 in the Class 3A Northeast Regional Championship game. For the Tigers, this was their first trip to the regional championship game since 2017.
“I told them at the beginning of the season that this team could be special,” Johnson said. “It took us a while to gel but we got it going towards January. I thought we played some really good basketball and that’s what you want to do around tournament time. Our guys really stepped up and played really well. Our starting five and bench players played really well for us.”
Childersburg had seven players selected to the 1A-3A All-Talladega County Team, and Johnson was named the Coach of the Year.
Isaac Marbury and Kordes Swain earned first-team all-county honors.
Five other Tigers made the all-county team: Ja’Kaleb Stone and Sharod Robertson were second-team selections. Jordan Mann, Elijah Sims, and Caleb Swain were named to the honorable mention team.
Johnson said the turning point of their season came in a 91-57 loss to Ramsay in January. Johnson said that loss made the Tigers come together as a team.
“I thought that game really opened us up,” Johnson said. “We thought we were good, but they showed us that we are not there yet. After that ball game, we began playing great defense and great offense. Like I told them defense wins because some nights you may not shoot the ball well, but you can defend. I thought they bought into what I wanted to do and what we needed to do to win. They became a team. Every night we had someone different to score and that’s a big part of it. Every night someone came and played well.”
Johnson was selected as The Daily Home’s 1A-3A Coach of the Year.
“It all goes back to my players and coaching staff with coach (Robert) Kirkland, coach (Lachaunt) Prince, and coach (Sy) Butler who coaches the girls,” Johnson said. “It’s nothing that I do; I just put them in a position to win. For your peers to say that you did a great job with this group means so much. We work hard. We start in June in the weight room and practice hard. They don’t get a lot of days off in the regular season, we put the work in. I’m proud of the way we compete.”
Childersburg used teamwork to have success in 2021, but other teams had to receive great individual performances nightly for their teams to have success.
That was the case for Talladega County Central. The Fighting Tigers’ success in most games was determined by how well The Daily Home 1A-3A Player of the Year, Cameron Swain played.
Swain did all for the Fighting Tigers. The 6-foot-6 guard led the TC Central in every statistical category. Swain averaged 20.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 blocks, 3.5 assists, and 2.9 steals per game.
Swain led his team to an 11-14 record which included a Class 1A, Area 8 tournament championship with a 61-52 win over Woodland.
“Going into the season I was focused on making a statement and making a name for myself,” Cameron Swain said. “I wanted to be the person that people wanted to see play because he had a good game. Being Player of the Year means something to me. It’s really an honor because it means that not only the people around see the hard work that I have been putting in.”
TC Central head coach Acardia Garrett said that Swain is very deserving of being Player of the Year.
“He has always been a kid with a great work ethic,” Garrett said. “He has a great family, he’s just a great kid overall. I never had an attitude problem out of him. He’s always dependable, where he is supposed to be and he’s a good player. Those qualities are hard to find in one player.”
JaKendrick Tuck was a second-team selection for the Fighting Tigers.
Talladega County 1A-3A All-County team
ASD
Addison Taylor, first team
Stacey Phillips, second team
Triallen Washington, honorable mention
B.B. Comer
Zack Carpenter, first team
Devin Harvey, honorable mention
Devonta Carmichael, honorable mention
La’Jordan Seals, honorable mention
Fayetteville
Pacey DeLoach, first team
Marlon Cook, second team
Zeke DeLoach, honorable mention
Atticus Jacks, honorable mention
Winterboro
Chance Dandridge, first team
Brandon Hunter, second team
Troy McKinney, honorable mention
Dawson Mosley, honorable mention
Jadion Swain, honorable mention
Kaleb Merrett, honorable mention
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https://www.annistonstar.com/news/business/parents-should-educate-themselves-before-allowing-children-to-use-cbd-products/article_fd85d9b4-b17b-11ec-9021-4b90a84d7b76.html
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Many parents or guardians have no idea that certain candies, snacks and sodas their teens consume have the same active ingredient as marijuana, experts say.
Sometimes, these edible products also fall into the hands of children of elementary school age.
The ingredients in these products and others are derivatives of the hemp plant: They are cannabinoid, or CBD, and tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, found in hemp and marijuana plants in different amounts.
Hemp plants have more CBD than marijuana, and they are the only plants licensed growers may raise, according to the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.
After the bill was signed into law in December of that year, establishing a five-year program enabling the USDA to carry out its programs, many states passed laws allowing CBD and THC to be used for recreational purposes.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has never approved either of these two derivatives for consumption by humans or animals, nor has the U.S. government passed laws that allow marijuana to be used recreationally. Only certain states have taken that step.
Alabama is one of the states that allows THC to be used only medicinally. As for CBD, a derivative that does not produce a high in its pure form, many users and professionals believe it has benefits.
One of those professionals is Damon Fierro, an emergency room physician at Huntsville Hospital.
“CBD, if a high quality material that has a good certificate of analysis that shows what is in it, is safe for all age groups, that is if it has .3 percent or less THC,” said Fierro, expressing the measurement of three-tenths of one percent. He is a co-owner of Snycona, a London-based company that is a subsidiary of Southern Leaf Hemp Co. of Memphis, Tenn. Southern Leaf also has a hemp farm and store in Huntsville. Both companies are focused on building and funding other companies that develop treatments for patients.
Fierro said his company bases the safety of CBD on research and his own observation.
“In all my 20 years of working in the emergency room,” he said, “I’ve never seen anyone with a bad reaction to CBD.”
A 2017 article from the National Center for Biotechnology Information/National Library of Medicine, concluded “a favorable safety profile of CBD in humans.” Most of the research was done for medicinal purposes, which specify higher doses of CBD than the amount of CBD used recreationally.
Fierro said its main effect is that it makes users sleepy, and CBD, even when used medicinally, had fewer side effects.
The conclusion of the article was that the effects of long-term use of CBD had yet to be studied. The effect on hormones, particularly in children, has some mental health professionals concerned.
Seyram Selase is the executive director of Calhoun County’s Agency for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP), which is funded, in part, by the Alabama Department of Mental Health. ASAP works to help those who are addicted to any substances get clean. Of particular concern to him and his staff at their Oxford-based office is that many young people are using consumable products with CBD. He considers it to be a gateway drug that sometimes leads children, teens and young adults into a life of addiction.
“Teens, especially, consume it, and enjoy the way it makes them feel, but quickly they want more,” Salese said. “They move on to more potent chemicals.”
Is CBD beneficial?
Consumers age 18 and older — those who are legally able to buy and use CBD products — now have latched on to the advertisers’ statements that CBD decreases anxiety, alleviates stress, has anti-inflammatory properties and is supposed to help with sleep problems. All those benefits come without the “high” and addictive properties that larger amounts of THC produce.
The problem with the age limit of 18 is that a rigorous inspection process was not implemented before CBD became legal. Thus, states now have a situation where, without anyone looking over their shoulders, some store owners sell to those under age 18, said Neil Fetner, an inspector with the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board in Calhoun County.
At times, in the stores and online, clerks and advertisers place the attractive, CBD-laced candies, gummies, lollipops, cookies, chips and brownies in full view of children, not only in vape and tobacco shops but also in local convenience stores and gas stations. In addition, some young people are vaping products that have nicotine and CBD in them. (The state’s legal age for vaping is 21.)
Even in Calhoun County, some clerks and store managers purposefully fail to ask for a young teen’s ID, according to inspectors with the ABC Board and other investigators.
Some younger teens obtain the products from their friends, and others order the products online.
The answer to the question of whether CBD has benefits is that in a few limited applications, such as particular types of epilepsy, the substance is demonstrably helpful. For more common symptoms, high-quality studies have not been frequent enough to allow researchers to announce a proven benefit. Studies have shown it does have anti-inflammatory effects, however.
One spokesperson from an out-of-state store who wished to remain anonymous said they base their claims of CBD’s health benefits on reviews by their customers.
Are CBD products dangerous?
One problem growers of hemp found is that, like any plant, raising an agricultural product is not exact. Hemp’s chemical makeup, like other plants, is altered by effects of the weather, heat of the sun, seeds’ genes and soil conditions.
Because growing hemp is regulated, if an inspector from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries finds a percentage of THC higher than .3 percent, crop owners are supposed to destroy it. However, the online magazine, “Hemp Growers” states the following: “If THC went above 0.3 percent at harvest, they [growers] weren’t too concerned because ... they had buyers. Even though they had buyers, however, possession of hemp that exceeds the 0.3% threshold at any point is considered illegal.”
Many of these growers of hemp are based in foreign countries or in states where the soil is contaminated with pesticides, heavy metals and other toxins. The plant is prone to absorbing pesticides, heavy metals and toxins existing in contaminated soil, according to the Hemp Industry Daily, a news source written exclusively by professional journalists in the hemp industry.
“... [H]emp is a bioaccumulator. It’s really good at absorbing heavy metals and can absorb a vast range of compounds from the soil — including radioactive elements, heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, explosives and fuel,” states an article by Derek Du Chesne from “How to avoid heavy-metal accumulation in your hemp crop,” July 8, 2020.
Adults and children who consume these chemicals can be adversely affected, according to a bulletin published by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, “Megals in Hemp — Avoiding Contamination.”
“Many metals have well-known, negative health effects in humans; some can be toxic even in minute quantities, especially for children.”
Is there regulation and authorization?
John McMillan, the director of the newly created Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, which was created in 2021, is concerned about the use of CBD by young people.
“There’s no regulation of CBD,” McMillan said to reporter Jacob Holmes of the Alabama Political Reporter, in an online article posted in December of last year. “We’ve got some really good companies in Alabama making good CBD products, but we don’t know what’s coming in from out of state with gummies and drops and those vape things and all that. It’s an area that needs to be regulated.”
Unproven claims by advertisers and manufacturers, though, are not stopping consumers from believing them. The Food and Drug Administration is the only authority for approving medicines, yet some manufacturers claim CBD can be used for treating acne, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes and many other ailments. These ads are false and illegal, according to McMillan.
Word from a grower of hemp
John Brinkley, a criminal defense attorney who is a co-owner with Fierro in Southern Leaf Hemp Company, says there are ways to safely produce CBD.
“My group wants to work with law enforcement,” Brinkley said. “We are professionals with licensing. We are not here to put stuff on the street to harm or hurt anyone. Our physicians see the benefits of these products. We report to the Alabama State Bar, and our doctors report to the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners. We want to do this right and make sure society is protected.”
The Southern Leap store in Huntsville, called Dogwood Dispensaries (and Dogwood Farmacy) does not sell to anyone under 21 years of age. Brinkley said the farm and store welcome surprise visits from federal and contracted inspectors.
To use or allow their children to use CBD products, parents and all consumers must become their own inspectors.
In a March 22 article on the CBD Clinicals website titled “Is CBD Legal in Alabama?”, writer Stanley Clark stated that anyone buying CBD should “inspect the product label to see if the company provides the amount of CBD per serving, net weight, manufacturer’s name, batch number or code, list of ingredients, suggested usage, and type of CBD.”
Also, the article stated that consumers should evaluate any CBD product’s website and ensure that comprehensive lab tests have taken place. The lab report should list any pesticides, heavy metals or solvents in the products.
Brinkley said Alabamians should never produce or allow the sale of products made from hemp or marijuana plants raised in other states where the soil is contaminated.
“That is why every company that sells these products should have a certificate of analysis,” Brinkley said. “We should not be importing anything.”
Do companies market to teens?
Parents are often unaware that the lollipop their teen is sucking, the gummy candies they are eating, the gum children are chewing and the sodas they are drinking may contain CBD and even small amounts of THC. Young people who vape may be consuming both.
Of course, vaping devices are illegal for those under 21 years of age to use, but they are still popular with teens. One high school in south Alabama conducted a survey and found that 90 percent of its students were vaping, said Fetner.
Recently, Fetner and Mike Reese, retired law enforcement officers who speak to school and civic groups about drug use in teens and children, spoke to the Jacksonville Exchange Club. As they stood to speak, before them lay a table full of vaping devices and snacks that had CBD and illegal amounts of THC in them.
The two displayed photo after photo of children from northeast Alabama who have died from trying products they did or did not know were laced with illegal drugs. Criminal manufacturers sometimes add Fentynal into the products, and even one microgram of fentanyl can even kill an adult. A microgram is about the size of Lincoln’s lips on a penny.
In her medical practice, Anniston pediatrician Angela Martin, a member of the new state cannabis commission, deals more with the effects of marijuana use than only products with CBD. However, she is aware of them.
Martin sees the effects of drugs on hundreds of newborns and older children each year and is concerned about the large number of babies in Calhoun County whose mothers test positive for marijuana. She sees about one teen each month who “staggers” into the office high on illegal drugs, and she smells the odor of marijuana on the clothes of a “ton of children,” probably because they are around adults who smoke it.
Regarding CBD and other derivatives, Martin is also concerned.
“I think there is room for extensive research in this area,” she said, “because what we know about the impact of CBD and marijuana is only how it impacts those over 18 years of age.”
She, like others in the fields of medicine and law enforcement, says there is often no way to tell what consumers are putting into their bodies.
The physical effects she has seen on children addicted to drugs range from their being catatonic, to having one or both lungs collapsed, or to experiencing behavioral problems. From observation, Martin knows that children who breathe marijuana smoke can experience serious learning and health problems.
How can parents help their children?
In addition to learning about the availability of CBD and other derivatives, parents can help their children avoid physical, behavioral and social problems by staying engaged. Fetner and Reese say parents should monitor book bags for discarded wrappers of products that contain CBD or other drugs and for drug paraphernalia. They should discuss with their children the dangers of accepting food and pills from others, even their friends. Parents should monitor their children’s internet and cellphone activity.
“I’ve never seen anything so precarious for children,” said Reese, whose own son died of a drug overdose. “What is the answer? It is education. We must warn parents and kids about these things.”
Brian McVeigh, the Calhoun County District Attorney, said parents should get educated about drugs before calling a legislator.
“Before parents reach out to legislatures,” McVeigh said, “they should learn about the products their children are exposed to and the harm that can be done to young bodies.”
Alabama Rep. Koven Brown agreed. He pushed hard to get medical marijuana legislation passed into law in Alabama, and he is aware of the problems the new laws have created.
“Someone asked me if I thought medical marijuana would get abused,” Brown said. “Of course I said to that person, ‘but think how prescription drugs are also abused.’ When you consume the derivatives that are at convenience stores, you have no clue what is in them. Most are from foreign countries. This problem needs to be addressed.”
Brown believes the problem won’t go away until a group of people, such as Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, organizes and insists that something be done.
Want to learn more?
To schedule a speaker for schools, civic groups or church groups, call the Agency for Substance Abuse Prevention, 256-831-4436. Reese and Fetner are also available to speak to schools, civic or church groups. Call 256-310-5741.
On the Internet, parents should check their sources and use information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the American Medical Association or other governmental or well-known medical entities that are factual. Selase recommends usingwww.xamhsa.gov.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/news/business/qr-codes-handy-for-directing-your-smartphone-to-a-website/article_091153cc-b17b-11ec-8de6-43bb229986a7.html
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A QR code is a conduit for passing along information from the internet to a smartphone user. It takes the form of a complex arrangement of tiny black squares within a square grid; when a smartphone’s camera scans that arrangement, it detects and presents to the user whatever information the QR code’s creator wants the person to see.
QR codes appear on food products, pamphlets, signs, buildings and, most recently, on the television screen, floating slowly so viewers can take a photo on their smartphone and see whatever an advertiser wants to sell.
But anyone can play. Via a QR code, someone interested in the history of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Jacksonville can learn it received its name from the celebration of feast day for St. Luke the Evangelist. Returning a package online is easy when clicking on a CQ code and following the directions found there. Taking a tour of historical sites saves time because the information can be emailed or shared and read later.
Suddenly, QR codes are the touch-free, money-and-time-saving way to do all kinds of things.
The initials QR stand for Quick Response. Such a code is a shortcut to any website that the creator of the code chooses. Also, they convey many other kinds of information their creators want to use. They are a new tool of communication and marketing in the digital world.
First developed in 1994, the codes seemed to fall from favor until the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when people were afraid to touch restaurant menus, computer screens or buttons in an elevator.
Event organizers found a way to save money when publishing detailed fliers. Organizers can only mention the event and add a QR code to tell people everything that will take place. Churches save money by posting a QR code on a screen or a printed bulletin that tells the visitors how to become a member or join a Bible class.
One fan of the 21st century hieroglyphics is a computer science professor at Jacksonville State University, David Thornton.
“One example of how I use them is during a PowerPoint presentation,” he said. “Sometimes people will say the presentation was good and ask for a copy. Rather than having to email each person a file, I will stick a QR code on the first screen, they can scan it and have a copy of the presentation.”
Brent Cunningham, the interim dean of business at JSU, saves roll-call time by posting a QR code that students use to show they are present in class.
QR codes, according to Thornton, can also be defined as enhanced versions of the familiar bar codes that consumers have used for years. Now, with QR codes, their creators and users can access even more information.
“They (QR codes) may evolve just like the bar code has evolved,” Thornton said. “Who knows what the next level will be? Images that hold text are here to stay.”
Gail DaParma of Jacksonville heard about QR codes years ago and had been thinking they may be a good way to promote tourism in the city. Thus far, the Great Things in Jacksonville group she directs has QR codes on St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, the pocket park across the street from the church, a former tavern on the northeast corner of the Jacksonville Square, and the Dr. Frances Museum, just off the Square.
“This was a great opportunity for us,” DaParma said. “It is extremely cost effective. We needed a subscription to a QR code vendor and a website. We want to build a big pool of these in the city so people can go from one tourist site to the next.”
To learn more about QR codes, visit En.wikipedia.org/wiki/qr_code. To learn to create CR codes, search visit the website qr-code-generator.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/policing-tiktok-anniston-police-department-gains-national-attention-over-viral-tiktok-video/article_6f815840-b131-11ec-933f-d74c80f905df.html
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Anniston Police Department made national news this week when a TV talk show spread the word about an APD-produced TikTok video.
APD Chief Nick Bowles and Investigator Jake Ford were featured on the national television series Fox and Friends Thursday morning on account of their TikTok video, which had accumulated nearly 400,000 views as of Thursday afternoon.
Bowles said the idea to make a TikTok account came from Ford’s already heavy presence on the app, with a little more than 200,000 followers on his personal account.
“I knew he could put up good content — most of it revolves around law enforcement, so he already had that going,” Bowles said.
APD already had a presence on social media with an Instagram, Facebook and Twitter account, but Bowles said the “flavor of the month” currently is TikTok.
“We thought, ‘hey, let’s put together a TikTok page for the department — see where that goes,’” Bowles said. “I asked Jake if he’d be on board with helping create some content and he was all about it. So we signed up and the first video is doing fairly well.”
And fairly well, indeed. Bowles said TikTok has a function on each video to monitor where the views and likes are coming from, and it revealed that the APD video had a reach of even international proportions — with views in places like Germany and Australia.
Asked if he was shocked for the video to reach that level of exposure, Bowles said he didn’t expect it at all.
“I didn’t expect the reach — for it to go nationwide, and other counties — you know how these algorithms work is beyond me,” Bowles said.
Bowles said the purpose of the department’s TikTok account is multifaceted in that it can be used to put out information as well as connecting with a younger audience.
“We can use it for recruiting, we can use it for spreading what the benefits of working at the Anniston Police Department are, not just that we’re hilarious,” Bowles said. “But the actual benefits that an adult needs, and you know — show that we’re human. Show that cops aren’t robots that a lot of the portrayal we get is not good and sometimes it’s our fault. But if we can control our own narrative, that is what we’ll do.”
The humorously styled video features Bowles making mistakes while attempting to make a TikTok video and Ford correcting him at every turn. Despite Bowles being in a position of authority over Ford, the relationship between the two was surprisingly “laid back.”
“He’s a fantastic chief,” Ford said. “He can be authoritative when he needs to be — he gets the job done — but he’s also laid back-cut up, and he’s human. So he’s not this distant chief where you feel like you can’t come in and talk to him. He’s very chill.”
Ford said he hoped that the video would gain popularity, but to gain the attention it did was above and beyond his expectations. He said Fox and Friends reached out to the department to do the interview for the show. As this was Ford’s first televised interview for any news outlet — it was national and live — he said he felt like a deer in headlights.
“When Fox contacted us and wanted to do it, we were just blown away,” Ford said. “I was a little bit nervous. I wasn’t prepared. I knew they had talking points they were going to ask, but I didn’t know what they were going to ask me. I was just caught in the light of it all, I guess.”
Anniston public information officer Jackson Hodges commended APD and Bowles for their community outreach efforts.
“It was so exciting to see the Anniston Police Department get some much deserved recognition on Fox and Friends this morning,” Hodges wrote in a text message. “Chief Bowles and Officer Ford did an incredible job during their interview, and both reflected the same positive mindset that is so great about our Police Department and our city as a whole.”
Hodges pointed out that in the Fox and Friends interview, Bowles was able to sneak in a “Roll Tide” at the end before signing off, stating “You have to give props to the chief, he was able to sneak in a ‘Roll Tide’ and on a personal note that was another win for us all.”
For some folks, anyway.
Those who wish to follow APD on TikTok for updates and more funny videos can do so at https://vm.tiktok.com/ZSd2DYPnv/
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https://www.annistonstar.com/features/look-back-to-oxford-lake-getting-ready-for-season-1947/article_9c6b7052-b17c-11ec-a327-d72d85e6f7c3.html
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April 1, 1947, in The Star: A complete program of rejuvenation is in store for Oxford Lake Park, popular for more than 50 years with local picnickers and amusement seekers, and most of that seasonal refreshment has been completed. The lake, now under the management of W. E. Morgan and F. Paisley Davis, will continue the usual free admission to the park and picnic grounds. New tables, benches, lighting and barbecue pits have all been installed. Also new on the site is a restaurant featuring chicken dinners, and a couple of new rides. The swimming pool has been modernized to include a new system of chlorination. Park police will help keep everything safe and orderly, another addition to the park’s attractive features. Also this date: Alex Sawyer, a local young man who spent two years as an Army instructor in code at Fort Benning during the war, will lead a radio class for boys at the Anniston YMCA, located on East 12th Street. The class is primarily for boys 15 and older to give them the practical knowledge to pass the licensing test to be an amateur radio operator.
April 1, 1997, in The Star: The continuation of public schools might be in peril due to decreasing support nationwide, according to one speaker at the Alabama Education Association’s annual convention. Former University of Alabama President Dr. David Mathews delivered the sobering assessment to about 600 state public educators yesterday: “Based on over 10 years of research on public schools and the public, I am forced to say what I never thought I would say, what I never thought I would think: It is not inevitable that the public school system that you and I have known all of our lives will exist in the 21st century.” Also this date: The Committee of Unified Leadership honored Calhoun County’s Habitat for Humanity this morning for building relationships as well as building houses. COUL, a biracial group founded 20 years ago to help resolve racial problems, presented Habitat’s president, the Rev. Dee Wade, and its executive director, Bill Wright, with its 1997 Human Service award. Habitat will be dedicating a new house on 23rd Street in Anniston tomorrow morning.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/features/home_garden/from-yard-darling-to-neighborhood-menace-the-war-against-the-invasive-bradford-pear-tree-rages/article_4d38235e-b1f9-11ec-bb5c-a393839b5146.html
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The callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) made its appearance in the United States in the 1900s when it was imported from Asia to improve the health of our common pear, which was prone to fire blight. A cultivar is a variety produced by selective breeding — often to solve a problem or add a characteristic.
Many people refer to the callery pear as a ‘Bradford’ pear, the most well known cultivar of the callery pear. The Bradford pear — which came into existence through grafting — is a callery pear, but it was originally thornless.
The Bradford pear became the darling of homeowners, gardeners and landscapers. In its time (in the 1960s and on) there was hardly a yard without a Bradford pear. Roads into subdivisions were lined with the pear trees and it became the favorite of anyone who was seeking a rapidly growing hardy tree with lots of flowers.
People loved the tree despite the fact its sweet white flowers had an awful smell (reminding me of canned tuna). The stinky flowers appear in spring — April to May — before the leaves. It is hard to miss the scent or the sight of a field of ‘Bradford’ trees covered with dainty white blooms.
A problematic plant
The Bradford pear was far from what the owners hoped; the angle of its branches was weak and prone to breaking, especially during storms, which became a maintenance and safety problem. Soon, other cultivars were introduced to produce a stronger tree.
The callery pear crossbred with other non-native callery pears and became an invasive tree, competing with our native plants for light, water and nutrients, and depriving our native insects of a food source. Where there is callery pear, there will be a field of them as they spread with a vengeance.
Callery pears formed dense forests. The pears moved into disturbed areas, pastures that have been ignored, right of ways and forest edges. The callery pear became a menace to anything in its path.
Not only did the pear spread, but it also grew vicious long pointy thorns that could even puncture the tires of a tractor. The thorns made hand removal a dangerous job.
The callery pear will grow anywhere, tolerating partial shade to full sun, and wet and dry areas.
How did something so well loved become something hated and so problematic?
According to The Alabama Cooperative Extension System,
“The reason for this invasive spread lies with the way the species breeds and the fruit it produces as a result. Callery pear is self-incompatible, which means it requires outcrossing with genetically different plants for successful fruit production. Because all trees within an individual cultivar are genetically the same, they are unable to cross-pollinate.
For years, Bradford was the most planted cultivar, and very little fruit was produced because they could not cross-pollinate. Over time, the Bradford cultivar was found to be structurally weak due to its branching pattern and was replaced with other cultivars. This shift greatly increased the genetic diversity of ornamental plantings and led to opportunities for outcrossing and successful fruiting. In many urban areas, callery pear trees are now loaded with fruit in the fall where none were previously produced.”
Seeds are spread to the far corners by birds and other animals. Callery pear seeds are not like the parents, and the offspring of these wild types can cross pollinate and produce lots of viable seeds.
Callery pears are almost impossible to control once they are established. Pull up seedlings and destroy them, but be mindful of the sharp thorns.
Large trees are going to need herbicides. Make certain to read the label and follow directions exactly.
Homeowners and landowners MUST remove the callery pear (and its cultivar, the Bradford pear) on their property. Once established, eradicating this tree is a difficult task.
Bring on the Bradford ban
Invasive plant experts are speaking up. South Carolina is banning the sale of Bradford pears in the nursery trade. The ban takes place in 2024. Trees already growing are exempt from the ban; that does not mean that existing trees should not be removed.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources added the callery pear to the state’s invasive species listing in 2018. In 2023, it will be illegal to buy or plant the callery pear in Ohio.
Callery pears were added to Pennsylvania’s Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed list as a Class B Weed in 2021. Talk about frightening: A Class B weed is one that is so invasive that it can not realistically be eliminated. In February 2024, the Department of Agriculture will issue a Stop Sale and destruction orders to nurseries selling or distributing the callery pear.
Do not plant a Bradford pear, the most popular cultivar of the callery pear. Callery pears are often referred to as Bradford pears for this reason.
Be mindful that there are pears that are sterile; they are safe to plant. But be careful, especially if shopping on the internet.
Join the movement: Remove the callery trees from your landscape. Get rid of the invasive plants and replace them with native plants. Improve our world one tree at a time.
Sherry Blanton, “The Southern Gardener,” writes about gardening for The Anniston Star. Contact her at sblanton@annistonstar.com. Follow her on Facebook at Southern Gardener-Anniston Star.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_daily_home/dh_news/burglar-steals-tools-then-uses-them-to-steal-catalytic-converter-from-victims-car/article_c371d3b2-b1fe-11ec-94cc-1fb5900342eb.html
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Talladega County Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating a burglary in Eastaboga that was followed by the theft of a catalytic converter.
According to Chief Deputy Josh Tubbs, the initial burglary was reported at a residence on Homewood Acres Circle Wednesday between 4 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.
Tubbs said the burglars broke into the home and stole a tool box containing various tools valued at about $50. It then appears that the burglars used these same tools to steal the catalytic converter off a 1989 Honda Civic that was parked in front of the residence.
The tools and tool box were recovered next to the vehicle.
Tubbs said investigators have developed a suspect in the case but had not made an arrest as of Friday afternoon.
The number of catalytic converter theft seems to be related to the fact that the parts are relatively easy to steal, requiring only a saw and minimal automotive knowledge. Once the converters have been removed, they are virtually untraceable, since they do not have individual serial numbers or vehicle identification numbers on them. The converters include some rare precious metals, including platinum, that can fetch a premium on the scrap market in spite of the small quantities involved.
Anyone with information on this incident should contact the Talladega County Sheriff’s Office at 256-761-2141 or leave an anonymous tip on the sheriff’s website or through the mobile app.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_daily_home/dh_news/citizens-honors-doctors-on-national-doctors-day/article_deacf9f0-b20c-11ec-bd67-ffd761afccf9.html
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Citizens Baptist Medical Center celebrated National Doctors’ Day by paying tribute to its physicians for their service, skill and compassion.
In a news release, the hospital said that across the Brookwood Baptist Health network of hospitals, the theme for the day was “Thank you for Always Being There.” It said the theme was chosen to depict a collective sentiment of deep appreciation for the outstanding group of physicians who tirelessly care for our community.
“On behalf of all our employees and patients, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our physicians,” CEO of Citizens Baptist Medical CenterFrank Thomas said. “I believe strongly in the value of saying thank you every day, but today, we pause to honor the contributions of our physicians for their dedication to the health of our community.”
Celebrated on March 30 each year, Doctors’ Day was officially established in 1991. March 30 also marks the anniversary of the first use of general anesthesia in surgery by Dr. Crawford W. Long in 1842. National Doctors’ Day is commonly celebrated in healthcare organizations, as a day to recognize the contributions of doctors to individual lives and communities.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_daily_home/dh_news/city-recognizes-child-abuse-awareness-and-prevention-month/article_b6f03d78-b1fd-11ec-8013-27e2efe1e197.html
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April is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month, and as they have in most previous years, the staff of Palmer Place and the Talladega County Department of Human Resources put out blue plastic pinwheels Friday on the courthouse lawn, one for every case of child abuse reported during the previous year.
This year, they were joined by public officials, business leaders, representatives of SAFE and FIRST Family Services, college students from Troy and Jacksonville State universities and law enforcement personnel from the entire area in dedicating the pinwheels.
According to DHR Director and Palmer Place Board Member Nicole Parker, in fiscal 2020, there were 535 reports of child abuse in Talladega County, involving 648 children. The following year, the number climbed to 497 reports involving 809 children.
In fiscal 2022, which is only half over, there have already been 260 reports involving 344 children.
All reports of child abuse are investigated by DHR within five days, she said. These investigations frequently involve having to track down the victims. If an investigation finds credible allegations, the case is referred to local law enforcement, Palmer Place and the Talladega County District Attorney's Office.
Parker also said that the groups assembled Friday morning were there not only to investigate cases of child abuse after they happen but also to work with families in need to help them break cycles of abuse or to avoid falling into those cycles in the first place.
The first of April also traditionally kicks off fundraising season for Palmer Place, which conducts forensic interviews with victims of abuse and children who are witnesses to violent crimes, do court preparation and provide free counseling afterward for as long as it is needed. With a full-time staff of two.
The organization's state appropriation has been steadily declining, so funds raised in the community are increasingly important to carrying out their core missions.
According to Palmer Place Director Nancy Green, there is not a new tee-shirt design for this year, but they are selling bags with “Children Are Our Future — Care for Them Today” printed on them for $5 each.
They are also selling tickets for $10 each for a chance to win a Yeti cooler donated by Griffin Laser Engraving and a package of accessories.
The bags and tickets are both available at Palmer Place on South Court Street.
Palmer Place is a United Way organization.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_daily_home/dh_news/man-takes-computer-to-be-fixed-where-they-find-child-pornography-files/article_8fd71dac-b1fc-11ec-abe3-873fcdb7e89f.html
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A Childersburg man is facing felony child pornography charges following a joint investigation by the Birmingham Police Department, the Talladega County Sheriff’s Office and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Robert Martin Wimer, 52, was arrested by sheriff’s deputies Thursday following the joint investigation. According to Chief Deputy Josh Tubbs, Wimer was originally held without bond. District Judge Jeb Fannin eventually set bond in the amount of $20,000, cash or property..
Tubbs said that Wimer was allegedly having some sort of difficulty with his laptop. He took the computer to a shop in Birmingham, where the child pornography files were discovered. Someone at the shop contacted Birmingham Police, who contacted the state Task Force.
Wimer remained in the Talladega County Metro Jail Friday afternoon.
Possession of obscene material is a class C felony in Alabama, punishable upon conviction by one year and one day to 10 years in prison.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_daily_home/maybe-burglar-wanted-to-play-oh-susanna-saddle-stetson-hat-banjo-among-thiefs-loot/article_7436b9cc-b201-11ec-9e79-2f0d1fe8dc18.html
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Talladega County Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating a residential burglary just outside of Sylacauga that appears to have taken place earlier this year.
The house on Brooks Road was burglarized sometime between Jan. 17 and March 15, when the property owner was in the hospital, according to Chief Deputy Josh Tubbs.
The burglars made off with thousands of dollars worth of power tools of varying descriptions, including at least two chainsaws, various other types of saw, two air compressors, several batteries and battery chargers, a drill and driver set, an 18-volt half-inch cordless impact drill and a flashlight and charger.
In addition to the tools, the report also lists the theft of two firearms, a two-and-a-half gallon jar filled with change, a $900 saddle, a Stetson hat and a banjo.
Tubbs said Friday that investigators have identified a suspect and that some of the stolen items had already been recovered, but no arrest had been made.
Anyone with information on any of this incident should contact the Talladega County Sheriff’s Office at 256-761-2141 or leave an anonymous tip on the sheriff’s website or through the mobile app.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_st_clair_times/saints-take-two-straight-wins-over-ashville/article_5c3c709c-b1fb-11ec-86e9-c3f04f2c8bbf.html
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The St. Clair County High school baseball team recently improved on its record 11-10 after defeating Ashville in two straight games March 29.
The Saints took the first game 14-5 and later 15-4. They will now look to take on Briarwood Christian on Saturday, March 2.
During Tuesday’s first game, the Bulldogs followed closely behind 4-3 by the end of the third inning, however, six runs in the fourth inning followed by another three in the fifth by the Saints put St. Clair well into a winning position.
Jayce Mickens led the Saints with a double in the first and a home run later in the fifth, totaling four RBIs while also collecting four runs of his own.
Sawyer Motes also saw a good day at bat going 3-for-4 and driving in two runs. Garrett Whitehead and Tanner Stein also pushed two runs a piece along with a double each.
In the final game, the Saints took an early advantage with 10 runs in the third inning that the Bulldogs could not recover from.
Ethan Jackson had a perfect day from the plate going 2-for-2 while driving in two runs and collecting two of his own. Motes went 2-for-3 and also drove in two runs for the Saints.
Ashville’s Chandler McGinnis also had a perfect day at bat, slugging 2-for-2 in the final game.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_st_clair_times/stclair_news/daughters-of-the-revolution-award-annual-nursing-scholarship/article_56f1e6b6-b201-11ec-b367-f73e42bbc2d7.html
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The Broken Arrow chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution has announced the recipient of its annual Dixie Mays Jones Scholarship.
In a news release, the organization announced Kristine Harvard as this year's recipient of the $1,000 scholarship. She was given the award during a ceremony Saturday.
The DAR awards the scholarship to a resident of St. Clair County who is a second-year or above student and participating in a nursing program.
Harvard has been a licensed practical nurse for more than 13 years and works at Hope Hospice. An LPN is trained in the scientific basics of nursing, meeting certain prescribed standards of education and clinical competence.
Harvard attends Wallace State Community College where she has a 4.0 grade point average. She is working to become a registered nurse.
The release said Harvard plans to continue working after graduation in hospice care, where her duties include administering medication, drawing blood, and operating and monitoring medical equipment.
Hope Hospice Director of Nursing Kaye Gurley said that Harvard has already shown excellence in her work with the hospice even as an LPN.
“She has displayed leadership and ingenuity, selflessness, unmatched work ethic and genuine care for her patients and family in her charge,” she said. “Kristine is a born care-giver which makes her the ideal medical professional.”
The release said Dixie Mays Jones was the organizing regent of the Broken Arrow Chapter in 1954. When this scholarship was started in the 1950s, Pell City was in need of nurses. A $100 loan was given to a nursing student from St. Clair County in hopes that she would remain in St. Clair County to alleviate that need. Today that $100 loan has increased to a $1,000 scholarship.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_st_clair_times/stclair_news/lakefest-2022-to-include-splash-pad-country-singer-tyler-farr/article_b2081236-b1fd-11ec-99ee-af729ef8747f.html
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Logan Martin Lakefest is looking to come back bigger and better this year.
Organizer Justin Hogeland said the annual festival and boat show will return to Pell City’s Lakeside Park on May 20-22 with expanded activities for Children and its first headline act, country singer Tyler Farr.
On Monday, the Pell City Council approved an agreement with Lakefest to do just that. The new agreement will allow for Lakefest attendees to use the city's splash pad and allow Lakefest to use the Civic Center as a hospitality area to accommodate Farr. In exchange Lakefest will pay the city a $5,000 user fee.
Hogeland said the cost of renting out the splash pad for attendees is actually being covered by one of the event's sponsors, Vlachos & Feagin Orthodontics. He said the plan is also to have bouncy castles and other activities for children at the event this year as part of an effort to give younger attendees something to do.
Hogeland said that having something for children and younger attendees is something Lakefest has struggled with in the past but really wants to highlight this year.
“Our sole purpose is to highlight Logan Martin,” he said. “It's always been a little tough to make it really kid friendly.”
Hogeland said part of that difficulty is the fact that children normally aren’t in the market for a boat, but it's also a matter of space. As the event has gotten bigger, with more booths and presenters, it's also been hard to find space for a dedicated children’s area. He said using the splash pad and the area around it helps with that issue.
Another way Hogeland said the event is growing is having its first ever headliner act in Farr, aan artist that got his first number one hit in 2015.
“He will be the biggest artist to ever perform on Logan Martin,” the organizer said, adding that Farr’s addition shows how Lakefest has grown in the 11 years since its inception.
He said he feels the growth that Lakefest has had over the years has been a natural process that came from giving people a well run event every year.
“Everybody that we talk to seems to be very impressed or happy with the way that the event is planned,” Hogeland said. “They have built trust in us.”
He said that progress has been scary at times, but also incredibly rewarding. Hogeland said Lakefest has grown in much the same way that Pell City has grown over the years. Yet, he said he feels like Lakefest still has plenty of places to go.
“I still think this is the beginning,” Hogeland said.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/sports/high_school/calhoun-county-golf-ledbetter-edwards-tied-atop-boys-leaderboard-alexandrias-sechrest-leads-girls-field/article_a17db974-b212-11ec-b87b-373d70b648f3.html
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Nick Ledbetter has a long memory for a high school junior.
He was just a seventh-grader, eyeing his first Calhoun County golf tournament, when he heard the tale from his current Weaver High School coach, Justin Brown, but it stuck … right in the competitive Ledbetter’s craw.
“Somebody in the coaches’ meeting was like, Weaver does not really have a say so in the county tournament, because Weaver is not good,” Ledbetter said. “He told me that in the seventh grade, and I was like, I’m going to make them think Weaver is something.”
There’s a lot of that going around this weekend’s county tournament at Pine Hill Country Club.
Ledbetter stands tied with White Plains’ Sawyer Edwards for the lead after each player shot a 2-under-par 70 during Friday’s first round.
Defending champion White Plains’ boys hold a commanding lead at 309, 33 strokes ahead of second-place Oxford, but Alexandria’s girls are threatening to end county power White Plains’ string of county titles.
Led by tourney leader Lauren Sechrest’s 78, the Valley Cubs shot a 255, seven strokes better than the Wildcats. And yes, ending White Plains’ string of titles, is on Alexandria minds.
“All of us on our team who count for the team score, we’re all seniors,” Sechrest said. “We started our ninth-grade year. That’s the first time we ever picked up a golf club.
“Our first year, we’re shooting 101, 102, so it would mean everything for us to come back and end their streak and win, just because of how far we’ve come..”
White Plains’ girls, the reigning Class 4A-5A state champions, have won the county tournament all five times under sixth-year head coach Chris Randall. The COVID-19 shutdown nixed the 2020 county tournament.
White Plains has won three state titles in girls’ golf, dating back to 2015, becoming what Alexandria had been before the Wildcats’ current run on the county scene. Alexandria won state in 2008 and was a regular contender, and Alexandria’s Jordan Gregoria was co-champion in 2014.
With Ledbetter challenging for medalist on the boys’ side and Alexandria leading team and individual leaderboards, Friday was a day for challengers to rise up.
That comes, of course, with the standard caveat.
“It’s pleasing because we thought we should’ve been a lot closer last year than we were,” Alexandria coach Craig Kiker said. “I think the girls were disappointed last year, so it would be real gratifying to win, but again, it’s only day one.
“Nobody’s going to win or lose today.”
White Plains’ girls won by 43 strokes in 2021, and Sechrest was the runner-up to White Plains’ Abby Gattis by 10 shots.
White Plains’ boys, led by medalist Kenny Okins, won by 127, but 2021 runner-up Edwards is the lone-returnee from the Wildcats’ scoring players who went on to win a Class 4A state title. Ledbetter finished fourth, 10 strokes behind Okins and two behind Edwards.
With that as a backdrop, golfers hit Pine Hill under a blue sky and feeling a chill breeze Friday.
The boys’ group of Edwards, Ledbetter, Oxford’s Nic Boyd and Alexandria’s Braxton Tucker drew the biggest following, and they battled through several twists and turns. Boyd led at 2-under par through eight holes, but a bogey and double bogey back-to-back on Nos. 9 and 10 set him back. He finished the day at 75, good for third place.
Ledbetter was third at the turn, four shots behind Boyd, but shot 32 on the back nine. That included four birdies and three in the last four holes.
“It’s the same thing I did last year,” Ledbetter said.
He came into the par-5 18th trailing Edwards by two shots and had to make up ground after topping his attempt to go big off the tee. Ledbetter made up for it on the second shot.
“Had 248 into the wind around the trees and hit a cut 3-wood, and it landed on the fringe,” Ledbetter said. “I was like, ‘Yeah, he’s got a little pressure now.’”
Edwards bogeyed, and Ledbetter birdied to force the tie.
Edwards strung together six pars and three birdies after bogeying No. 4. His highlight shot of the day was his second on the 416-yard, par-4 13th hole. From behind the cart path and street, he fired a line drive that hit on the fringe and rolled onto the green, curling behind the hole.
“I was two feet from being out of bounds, and I had to hit a low drop,” he said. “It rolled up there about 12 feet, and I made the putt.”
Edwards said he and Ledbetter “are buddies, and we both want to win.”
As for White Plains’ boys as a whole, they shot their low round of the season, besting a 310 they shot during spring break at Silver Lakes. Eighth-grader Wyatt Cotney shot 76, Dalton Faulker 78 and Zack Goss 85.
“We’re steadily improving,” Randall said.
2022 Calhoun County golf tournament
Friday
Pine Hill Country Club
Boys
(Top four count toward team score)
White Plains (309)
Sawyer Edwards 70
Wyatt Cotney 76
Dalton Faulkner 78
Zach Goss 85
Cam Hurst 86
Oxford (342)
Nic Boyd 75
Brayden Cochran 86
Mike Tippets 90
Cohen Picton 91
Hayden Coppock 98
Alexandria (346)
Cleat Forrest 83
Braxton Kiker 84
Jamarcus Stokes 86
Braxton Tucker 93
Logan Ponder 95
Weaver (378)
Nick Ledbetter 70
Carson Cason 98
Jackson Williams 101
Hunter Hise 109
John Curtis Reeves 117
Piedmont (387)
Jacob McCurdy 84
Conner Williams 90
Trent Young 104
Coleman Reid 109
Bennett Clemons 116
Jacksonville (398)
Zach Limberis 95
Dakoda Willingham 97
Julian Hill 99
Walker Hobbs 107
Stone Walker 109
Pleasant Valley (440)
Zeke Johnson 104
Brennan Parker 106
Austin Worthy 111
Luke Bridges 119
Noah Pate 137
Individuals
FIsher Prichard (Alexandria) 87
Karson Faulkner (Alexandria) 87
Pierson Otralek (Alexandria) 89
Caleb Gay (Alexandria) 104
Cam Lockridge (Piedmont) 121
Jayden Matthews (Piedmont) 124
Bentley Chandler (Piedmont) 130
Dorian McKechar (Jacksonville) 107
Konnor Mayfield (Weaver) 119
Hayden Heard (Oxford) 126
Chip Mraz (Oxford) 110
Brock Reaves (Oxford) 100
Score Bussey (Oxford) 100
Hudson Harmon (Oxford) 110
Daniel Norred (White Plains) 87
Ethan Turner (White Plains) 89
Noah Holder (White Plains) 97
Girls
(Top three count toward team score)
Alexandria (255)
Lauren Sechrest 78
Emma Ray 87
Emilee Brown 90
Reagan Finley 92
White Plains (262)
Abby Gattis 83
Baylie Webb 85
Isabel Rogers 94
Alivia Ward 102
Pleasant Valley (309)
Marlie Wright 101
Gracie Davis 102
Abby Whisenant 106
Weaver (327)
Carmella Reese 101
Alexis Cleveland 112
Demari Grant 114
Tessa Taubenheim 119
Piedmont (332)
Mayce Chandler 106
Ella Floyd 107
Brookelyn Goss 119
Alley Smith 144
Oxford (368)
Annabelle Page 94
Kaylee LaPlante 137
Abigail Logan 137
Individuals
Marlee Hedgepeth (Alexandria) 107
Avery Prickett (Alexandria) 102
Neveah Foster (Alexandria) 103
Reece Kirkpatrick (Piedmont) 144
Baleigh Bown (Weaver) 120
Reagan Hammack (Jacksonville) 132
Rachel Gattis (White Plains) 107
Maddie Faulkner (White Plains) 110
Allie Presley (White Plains) 112
Madison Boyd (White Plains) 119
Maylee Stewart (White Plains) 130
Addie Crumley (White Plains) 120
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https://www.annistonstar.com/sports/high_school/prep-roundup-mohons-grand-slam-helps-piedmont-down-cherokee-county/article_7c2e675c-b237-11ec-88c2-eff9d6777caf.html
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McClane Mohon hit a grand slam, and Piedmont downed Cherokee County 12-1 in Friday’s baseball action.
He went 2-for-3 with two runs and four RBIs on the day.
Other top performers for Piedmont:
—Austin Estes, 2-for-3, double, run, two RBIs; pitched one inning of relief, allowing no hits or runs with one walk and three strikeouts.
—Max Hanson, 2-for-4, double, three runs, RBI.
—Jack Hayes, 1-for-3, run.
—Noah Reedy, 1-for-3, two runs, RBI.
—Jack Tolbert, 1-for-2, run, RBI.
—Sloan Smith, 1-for-2, RBI.
—Cassius Fairs, pitched four innings, allowing three hits, one earned run and one walk with three strikeouts.
Donoho 15, Jacksonville Christian 0: Lucus Ellliott drove in three runs, and Donoho pounded out 15 hits, including five extra-base hits, while improving to 9-3.
Elliott finished 2-for-3 with two runs to go with his three RBIs.
Other top performers for Donoho:
—Nic Thompson, 2-for-4, double, two runs, RBI.
—Slade Haney, 1-for-2, triple, two runs, RBI.
—Will Folsom, 1-for-1, run.
—Judson Billings, 1-for-3, double, run, two RBIs.
—Blake Sewell, 3-for-3, double, run, RBI.
—Hayes Farrell, 1-for-1, run, two RBIs.
—Marcus Lawler, 1-for-2, two runs.
—Tyler Allen, 2-for-2, double, two runs, RBI.
—Peyton Webb, allowed five hits, no runs and one walk with eight strikeouts in five innings.
Top performers for JCA:
—Ethan Fair, 2-for-2.
—Travis Barnhill, 2-for-2.
—Noah Lee, 1-for-2.
Softball
Piedmont wins two: Ava Pope’s two-run home run was part of Piedmont’s three-run fifth inning, which proved to be all the Bulldogs needed to beat Sand Rock 3-2 in Handley’s tournament Friday.
Piedmont also beat Collinsville 10-4 to improve to 10-5 on the season.
Against Sand Rock, Emily Farmer spread out five hits over five innings in the circle. She allowed one earned run and no walks to go with one strikeout.
Farmer also went 1-for-2 with a double.
Other top performers against Sand Rock:
—Jenna Calvert, 1-for-3.
—Cacey Brothers, 1-for-2.
Piedmont’s top performers against Collinsville:
—Emma Grace Todd, 1-for-3, two runs; pitched four innings, allowing five hits, two earned runs and one walk with three strikeouts.
—Calvert, 2-for-3, double, two runs, RBI.
—Savannah Smith, 2-for-3, two runs, two RBIs.
—Farmer, 1-for-3, double, RBI.
—Brothers, 1-for-2, two RBIs.
—Z’Hayla Walker, 2-for-3, triple, run.
—Pope, 1-for-2, run, two RBIs.
Jacksonville splits: Carli Fritts had a big day at the plate as Jacksonville beat Southeastern 9-4 and lost to Brindlee Mountain 4-3 on Friday.
Fritts went 4-for-5 with three runs and four RBIs. She was 3-for-3 with two doubles, three runs and four RBIs against Southeastern. She also got the win in the circle, giving up seven hits, one earned run and no walks with three strikeouts in four innings.
Jacksonville’s other top performers against Southeastern:
—Je’Henna Engram, 1-for-1, two runs.
—Kaitlyn Hamm, 2-for-3, double, run, RBI.
—Libby Strain, 3-for-3, double, two RBIs.
Top performers against Brindlee Mountain:
—Engram, 2-for-3, run.
—Dailyn Wood, 1-for-3, run.
—Keelie Leach, 1-for-2, double, run, two RBIs.
—Hamm, pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing five hits, four earned runs and no walks with two strikeouts; went 1-for-3 at the plate.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/sports/jsu/jsu-baseball-gamecocks-suffer-first-asun-loss-but-crowe-keeps-heating-up/article_4bcc75bc-b233-11ec-8517-534352eceec2.html
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JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville State lost an ASUN Conference game for the first time this season Friday night, but on a night when little went right for the Gamecocks, Carson Crowe gave the home fans reason to feel optimistic.
Crowe opened the season in a prolonged slump, and less than two weeks ago, his batting average had fallen to .183. That's a steep drop for a guy who hit .299 last year. He has caught fire since with 10 hits and three walks in his last six games.
He posted maybe his strongest game yet in Friday's 10-5 loss to Eastern Kentucky in the first of a three-game ASUN series. He went 3-for-4 with an RBI, and the one time he didn't reach base was a deep shot that EKU center fielder Ron Franklin caught just in front of the 403-foot sign.
"It's just the confidence level," said Crowe, a fourth-year junior. "Baseball is a mental game. If you don't have the confidence level, you're not going to be good. When you get in the box, not trying to be a cocky dude, but you've got to think you're the best hitter on the team. Once you get that mindset, you're going to be more relaxed, and you're going to see the ball better."
His average is up to .242, and as the No. 3 hitter in the lineup, he's giving JSU a bit of everything. He's tied for the team lead in homers (four) and tied for second in RBIs (16), but he's also third in hits (23) and third in walks (10).
"He's making them come in the strike zone more," JSU coach Jim Case said. "When they have to do that, he's a danger. Tonight, he got three hits, but he's also a danger to hit one over the fence. … There's been times when he's helped them. Tonight, I don't feel like he did that at all. That's a game-changer when they have to come over the plate to get him out. He's hard to get."
He's not the only one rebounding at the plate. Catcher Alex Carignan went 2-for-4 to improve his average to .228, while shortstop Isaac Alexander was 2-for-4 with his second homer of the season. After a slow start, he has hit .321 in the seven ASUN Conference games.
Otherwise, Friday was a trying night for JSU (12-12, 6-1 ASUN), which is now tied for first in the ASUN West Division with EKU (19-8, 6-1).
Crowe's long ball would've produced another run, and in the fifth inning, with runners on first and second and two outs, Alex Strachan hit a fly to right that EKU right fielder Roderick Criss couldn't quite reach. Trying to make the catch, he wound up hitting the ball up in the air and catching it with his bare hand.
In the fourth inning, EKU benefited from a JSU error to load the bases with two outs when Logan Thomason ripped a shot over the right field fence for a grand slam. Without the error, the inning would've petered out.
Even so, when JSU rolled into the bottom of the ninth down 10-3, the Gamecocks rallied to trim it to 10-5 with bases loaded and two outs. Javier Ramirez hit a line shot that looked destined to go between the EKU shortstop and third baseman to score at least two runs and bring the tying run to the plate.
EKU third baseman Conner Davis made a diving catch to end the game.
"The way we responded right there shows our team has heart," Crowe said. "It shows we're never going to quit. If you're up 10 runs on us, we're still going to make a push and not give up."
What to know
—JSU starter Isaiah Magwood (3-1) worked 4⅓ innings and allowed seven hits, six runs (two earned) and three walks. He struck out five. Dylan Hathcock (1⅔ innings), Trevor Andrews (one inning) and Caleb Marsh (two innings) finished.
—Backup catcher Brooks Bryan was 1-for-3 with two walks and an RBI while serving as the designated hitter.
—Trent Hoogerwerf, the No. 3 catcher, had a single. T.J. Reeves, the team's leading hitter at .356, went 1-for-5.
—Freshman third baseman Brennen Norton missed his fifth game since suffering an undisclosed injury. He is hitting .288.
Who said
—Case on the ninth-inning rally: "To me, that shows a little character. There was no quit. We end up hitting the ball as hard as we've hit one all night, and if it goes through, the tying run is at the plate. The goal when you're behind is to find a way to get the ball up there, and who knows what happens? But third baseman made such a great play."
—Case on Ramirez getting robbed of a hit on the last play: "What he's got to understand, and all of us have to understand in this game, that's all you can do. When you hit the ball that hard, that's about all you can do. From my standpoint, that's a real positive. From his standpoint, it's a positive, but I guarantee you he wishes it had gone through."
Next up
—JSU and Eastern Kentucky will play again Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. At Sunday's game, the Atlanta Braves' mascot, Blooper, will be in attendance along with the Braves' organist, Matthew Kaminski.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/news/anniston/city-school-system-holds-hiring-fair/article_77899014-b25a-11ec-8b1c-333e73c71bed.html
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Around 90 applicants attended the first-ever Anniston City schools hiring fair Thursday night at Anniston High School.
Twenty-three jobs were presented as available, ranging from interventionists, counselors, various teaching positions to maintenance workers and child nutrition program employees.
The applicants were gathered in the school library before applying for jobs at various tables set up in the lobby of the theater and gymnasium. The applicants were given an interview shortly thereafter.
“I am here to start a career,” said hopeful job candidate Tia Hardin, 39, from Oxford.
Hardin is employed as a teacher’s aide in Talladega and recently earned her degree in English language and literature. She said she’s ready to step up and become a teacher in her own right and was optimistic about what the night would bring.
“I am a faithful woman, so whatever God has in plan for me, I know there are a lot of great participants here and I know they will all do well, wherever God places me that’s where I will be,” Hardin said.
Robert Houston, Anniston school board president, was one of several school officials at the hiring fair.
“We’re having a job fair to look at people within the community that would be interested in a job and work for the Anniston school system,” he said.
“We have some great opportunities and we have some great people, we want to match those two things together,” Houston said.
Houston said he really liked that so many people came out to the job fair.
“The timing is right, we want to get started before the new school session starts, so we have people timed to make adjustments, if they have a job and want to leave that job they have time to turn in their resignation things of that nature,” he said.
Houston said there are many positions to be filled.
“It’s every school, administrators, special ed, foundations, finance, high school to pre-K and substitutes, we’re looking for everything,” Houston said.
Johanna Martin, Anniston city schools chief financial officer, said that substitute teachers in the Anniston system beginning May 1 will receive a bump in pay.
Currently substitutes earn $70 per day but beginning May 1 they will make $112.50 per day.
Martin was also enthusiastic about the turnout to the job fair.
“I’m very excited because we are here to hire some folks and recruit, retain, train, we’re just ready to go, so next school year starts we’ve got the right people in place to do what we need to do,” she said.
Martin said that some applicants were offered jobs on the spot after their interview pending a routine background check.
Tiesha Rasheed, human resources and accounting coordinator for the school system, and Anniston school Superintendent Dr. D. Ray Hill both spoke to the group before they signed up for interviews at the various tables.
Rasheed told the group that everyone hired would get a sign-on bonus that would appear on their paycheck in September. She said that for classified positions such as child nutrition program worker or a custodian they would receive $250 and for certified positions such as teachers and counselors they would get $500.
“Let’s go get jobs,” Rasheed said as the group headed to the lobby to sign up for interviews.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/news/business/households-lack-of-fresh-retail-food-concerns-planners/article_2c3d5d92-b25b-11ec-951e-e3fe21795c4b.html
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As a resident of West 16th Street in Anniston, Reginald Curry, 51, lives in what’s known as a food desert.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a food desert is defined as a low-income census tract with a substantial number of residents who have poor access to retail outlets selling healthy and affordable foods. In this context, that means living more than a mile away from such businesses.
Curry and his neighbors find themselves in that situation, but he loves helping them out. He said he’s returning a favor.
“I have to, they raised me, so I have to,” Curry said. Besides cutting their grass, Curry also goes to the grocery store for them, but it’s a task that has grown more difficult as the years tick by and grocery stores close. Only two grocery stores are even relatively close by: Pic ’n Save on Quintard that is more than two miles away and Food Outlet on Alabama 202 at almost two miles.
“If someone wants extremely fresh food you have to go to Publix that’s so high it’s unreal,” Curry said.
Curry’s elderly neighbors are fed up.
“The comments they’re making are grim, it’s grim, there’s no transportation, as you can see the homes are dilapidated, this is a lot to deal with,” Curry said.
It wasn’t always this way in west Anniston.
“When I was growing up there were a lot of mom and pop stores that’s gone, they had everything. If you go to 15th and McDaniel, you’ll see a store that was there when I was growing up as a kid,” he said.
That store was Bush’s Grocery, owned by the late James Bush and featured in The Star in 1974 as one of several “mom and pop” grocery stores in west Anniston.
Those local stores extended credit to the next payday, delivering groceries and selling in small quantities.
The stores also offered convenience because they served the immediate neighborhoods and became more than just a place to shop for potatoes. Bush was quoted at the time as saying the mom-and-pop store owners also serve as “an advisor, an information seller, a doctor, a lawyer.”
Curry laments the loss of local entrepreneurship that used to be in west Anniston.
“There were a plethora of restaurants as well, especially on 15th Street, everything’s gone,” Curry said, “At one point people did not even have to cross the railroad tracks to go on that side, everything was on this side.”
“A lot of the people that owned the stores, they passed, their kids and grandkids of course, either sold the properties and they moved out of state and never came back,” Curry said.
“Honestly I don’t think it’s going to get any better,” he said.
For now though Curry is steadfast in his mission to help his neighbors.
“I will never leave, I will die in this neighborhood,” Curry said.
Ciara Smith
Anniston Councilwoman Ciara Smith represents Ward 3 and is well aware of the concept of a food desert.
“I think the biggest thing is understanding what food deserts are and why they exist. Pretty much food deserts usually occur in low income and historically marginalized communities and usually create racial and health disparities and chronic diseases,” Smith said.
Smith said that most of the time they occur in black communities.
“You see high rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and things like that because it’s been strategically set up to keep them away or keep them from having access to better food options, that’s like a historical-like concept of what I know food deserts to be,” she said.
Smith said combating food deserts doesn’t require that nationally or regionally known grocery stores locate there. She said one solution could lie in convenience stores throughout the community offering fresh, healthier products — akin to the old family-owned grocery stores described by Curry.
“Everyone doesn’t have access to transportation, everyone can’t walk, if you’re living on 17th Street on the west side, to get over to Pic ’n Save is a good minute, so addressing some of those concerns are going to be important,” Smith said.
Smith said the city is working on its comprehensive plan that — among other things — will address Anniston’s food distribution system. Last year the city held public meetings to help shape the city’s comprehensive plan, which is a blueprint for future growth and development for a city. The plan addresses such issues as natural and cultural resources, land uses, economics, housing, public facilities and transportation. Walker Collaborative — a Tennessee-based planning firm under contract with the city — and other consultants presented findings to the residents and city officials which included taking stock of Anniston’s food deserts.
The strategies suggested to combat the food desert include:
— Small business development: grants, loans, technical assistance programs
— Foot trucks or mobile food services
— Community gardens
— Transportation services
— Mixed-use development: rooftops/density to help provide some market support.
“It’s going to be up to the city when we do this comprehensive plan, to focus on addressing how we can incorporate eateries, grocery stores, within our communities that are facing food deserts,” Smith said.
“You also have to be realistic when it comes to business development — you’re not going to find a Winn-Dixie in the middle of the neighborhood,” she said.
Smith said that convenience stores have been talked about before but not in a way that would address the problem of actual food deserts. Smith said topics for discussions would be small business development, who would run the stores, who would sustain them and how the stores would have access to fresh produce.
“So I think that would be most convenient and impactful within our own neighborhoods and then just bringing more grocers within the city as a whole,” Smith said, “So if you would like to go to a store that sells organics and different things like that … you don’t have to drive all the way to Oxford or Birmingham to get those things that you need.”
Smith said that just because people want a store in a certain area doesn’t mean it’s going to happen.
“Which is why incorporating convenience stores that are pushing out these healthy eateries and healthy food choices, I think would be beneficial,” Smith said.
Toby Bennington
Last month the Save-A-Lot grocery store in the Anniston Plaza Shopping Center closed its doors due to corporate restructuring. Toby Bennington, director of economic development and city planning, said the company had been planning to close the store for more than a year.
However, an Aldi grocery store under construction about two miles to the north on McClellan is expected to offer a full range of fresh produce once it opens next month.
Bennington said that he and other city officials are often asked by the public why a certain store can’t be located in a certain area.
“Location is driven by what a business or a corporate or a franchise wants to and feels like will be productive where it’s placed,” Bennington said.
Deciding factors for a business to locate in a particular area include population, access, rooftops and adjoining other businesses, Bennington said.
Bennington said that residents in west Anniston want a Dollar General store.
“We’ve brought the tenant reps for Dollar General and we’ve done the drive-around and have looked at locations in west Anniston, just for the very purpose for them to see,” Bennington said. “And unfortunately with each visit they’ve shook our hand, said, ‘Thank you very much but we don’t think we have an opportunity here,’ but that’s all we can do.”
Bennington said Dollar General is interested in a couple of sites along Quintard Avenue where there are volumes of existing traffic and other factors that the company is looking for.
“They are always looking for sites but they have criteria like they all do,” he said.
Bennington said the city’s comprehensive plan will be released soon and presented to the public for review within weeks.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/news/crime/recruitment-new-laws-prove-challenging-for-local-law-enforcement/article_9eac9e6c-b259-11ec-95e1-5376eb19cb07.html
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Four of Calhoun County’s law enforcement leaders told a Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce forum Friday they are working to meet the challenges of recruiting new officers, dealing with the effects of new laws and bemoaning the lack of stricter enforcement of laws already on the books.
The occasion was the Chamber’s annual Law Enforcement Forum, which was held Friday at Anniston’s Justin Sollohub Justice Center Friday morning.
Sheriff Matthew Wade began the meeting noting the differences between the county and city agencies.
“We are the legal arm of the court, and we have 126,000 annually visit our courthouse that our deputies scan in order to keep it secure,” Wade said. “Our patrol area is 612 square miles. We might have a call at Highway 78 and Highway 9, and the very next call might be in Piedmont.
“We travel a little bit further than the other agencies, and we have only 22 deputies to patrol that 612 square miles, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We receive about 130,000 calls a year to our dispatch center and we have school resource officers in seven different schools with 22 buildings.”
Wade said a new K-9 officer will soon be added to the SRO force.
He then addressed the potential problem with the new permitless-carry gun law for the state of Alabama.
“One of the biggest issues sheriffs have had with it is, although we are all for constitutional rights, this is a tool that allows law enforcement to do something with somebody when we pull then over,” Wade said. “If it was an 18-year-old kid with a bunch of guns, we could do something about it. Now we won’t be able to do that, but it is the law.’
Wade added the sheriff’s department receives money from permits that are now in jeopardy.
“In Calhoun County, 62.5 percent of every permit sold went into a fund to buy our vehicles,” he said. “The county commission hasn’t spent one red penny buying or equipping vehicles in the five-plus years I have been sheriff. The other 37.5 percent goes into paying for our body cameras, training, and we like that set-up. Now, that ability has been taken away from us. This year alone, we are already $150,000 short because people have already stopped buying permits and we need to buy 10 cars this year.”
He said the numbers in the jail are “at the best levels in 15 years,” and a $5 million renovation project for the facility is about to get underway within the next month.
Wade also said these were “unprecedented times” in trying to recruit and retain qualified officers.
“I don’t know what the magic number is, but we are not there as far as salaries and being able to retain people,” Wade said. “Law enforcement has been villainized over the past few years to make people believe we are the enemy. We’re anything but the villians. All of that has a price, and the price is nobody wants to be in law enforcement for any amount of money, and those that do want to have the pick of where they want to go. We have to do something to make law enforcement an honorable, professional place.”
He said everyone wants the “gold standard” in law enforcement, “but we pay them day-labor salaries.”
“You can’t have both,” Wade said. “Until we can take those day labor salaries up to where the expectations are for law enforcement, there is going to be problems.”
Jacksonville police Chief Marcus Wood said his city is attempting to solve the recruitment situation.
“We have been able to talk to our mayor and council about our concerns about hiring and retaining and being competitive with agencies around us,” Wood said. “I’m pleased to announce they not only listened, but they plan to go above and beyond what we asked for and proposed to them.”
He said the council has approved a 5 percent mid-year cost of living raise and added hazardous duty pay for all fire and police officers, corrections officers, and dispatchers.
“We believe that’s a game-changer for us,” Wood said.
Wood said his department has remained active working with state officials to rid the city of human trafficking and narcotics “and get them behind bars.”
He added a new special operations unit has been created and dedicated to “serving warrants and arresting those individuals who are continuously causing trouble.”
“They patrol our high-crime areas in an effort to drive down burglaries and thefts,” Wood said. “I’m proud to say we are already seeing the fruits of their labors, which are driving those numbers down and ensuring those criminal elements are driven out of those areas.”
Wood noted just as other law agencies, “We do a lot with a little.”
Anniston police Chief Nick Bowles said he continues attempts to gain more officers for the force.
“We are swearing in three new officers today and that still leaves me 17 short,” Bowles said. “We train them and send them to the police academy at $43,000 a year.”
Bowles recalled starting his career at $10 per hour.
“We are the second-highest paid agency in the county now, and when the assistant chief of Jacksonville called to ask questions about how much we made, I knew where this was going,” he said. “They’re going to go up and I’ll have to go back to the council [for more funding]. The people who are winning are the officers. They are getting the benefits. I know our great council hates to see me coming with my hand out, but I will all day if I have to.”
“I think we would pay our people half a million to a million dollars a year if we could because that’s what they are worth by what they are doing every day for you,” Bowles said.
Bowles said the department is making a “concerted effort” on social media to combat the negative stereotypes of law enforcement.
“Some of it we caused ourselves, some of it we did not,” he said. “If we can control the message we are putting out, that it is OK to be a police officer, we can get families on board for their men and women who want to come and serve this community. We need to change that narrative and say you can serve and be a positive influence on your community.”
He cited the drive to revitalize Noble Street and said eight additional surveillance cameras have been secured through a grant to help “keep up with what’s going on downtown.”
“I would rather people see the blue lights flashing on those box cameras and it deters them from maybe trying to see if someone’s car is unlocked,” Bowles said. “The perceptions of an area and a person’s feeling of safety has a lot to do with improving that area. I hope those cameras do that.”
Oxford police Chief Bill Partridge took note of how crimes have decreased in the city and praised his force for “doing an outstanding job.”
“We have placed some of our investigators with federal task forces and that has certainly paid dividends for us in helping bring crime levels down,” Partridge said.
He said 32 agencies are now involved with the EMAC Center and “it is working tremendously well.”
“Criminals don’t know jurisdictional boundaries,” Partridge said. “If we can all work together under one roof to help tamp down those crimes and put those individuals behind bars, it helps our whole region.”
Partridge also reiterated one of his main concerns that laws are not strict enough in keeping repeat criminals off the street.
“The Legislature should be making law enforcement easier, not harder, by passing legislation that keeps repeat offenders behind bars and not walking on the streets,” he said.
Partridge said he is “sick and tired” of seeing the same criminals “pass through the doors of the jail and back on the streets committing felonies and more victims.”
“We need people in office who are actually going to stand up for law and order, enforce the law, and make sure penalties are put forth that will keep these individuals behind bars,” Partridge said. “You can only rehabilitate somebody so much. They have to take an interest and say they are going to straighten up and do the right thing.”
“Those who don’t make the decision or effort to straighten up need to be behind bars and not out preying on your mothers, fathers, grandfathers, grandmothers, children, and our law enforcement officers,” he said. “We see that daily across the state and locally.”
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https://www.annistonstar.com/features/homes/local-interior-designer-breaks-down-upholstery-trends-and-fabulous-fabrics/article_2a7a3a32-b208-11ec-acfa-27a8eecd3c8e.html
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Upholstery is a popular element of interior design. With so many new fabric options, deciding to reupholster furniture may seem overwhelming.
Scott Skinner, a local interior designer and president of STS Decorating & Design, has some advice for the do-it-yourselfers looking to undertake a new project.
“Reupholstering chair seats and small cushions can be easy. You will need tools such as a mallet, tack puller, staple gun, scissors, hot glue and a ripping hammer,” Skinner said.
Skinner advises that you may or may not need all of these tools, but it is a good idea to have them on hand. If you begin a reupholstering project and find that it is challenging, contact one of the upholsterers in the area because they will be happy to help.
He recommends checking out local fabric stores like Downing and Sons in Anniston for great fabrics that can turn a dull fabric furniture piece into a new, refreshed treasure.
“Current popular fabrics are the ones that have organic shapes and angles. Some might call it ‘Boho,’ but you are seeing an influx of warm color tones,” Skinner said. “The past two years people have wanted fabrics — such as chenille and boucle — that have a feel of comfort and feel special to the touch since so many people have been nesting.”
Skinner says that color is coming back, and although it is not everyone’s preference, using colorful furniture can make a great statement as an accent piece. When working with all-white rooms, Skinner has added a chair or ottoman to add a ‘pop’ of color. He has also used colorful pillows and designs on neutral sofas. He has used a rug to add color in a room with neutral furnishings.
Skinner says that brown shades like salted caramel are gaining traction again, as well as greens and sky blue.
“One beautiful combination is tones of blues and greens that make for a lovely design. For the adventurous out there, making a comeback are touches of burnt oranges and hot pinks,” Skinner said.
Velvets are still at a high and as classic as one can get, while designers are also seeing a revival of florals.
“Texture is big — everything from big loops to the ever-so-popular boucle fabric and fabrics that have dimension. This comes from in-sewn fringe to tone-on-tone texture fabrics,” Skinner said.
While leather has always been a staple in the upholstering world, Skinner says it will be seen in even more pieces — from lounge chairs to ottomans and headboards.
According to Skinner, neutrals and colors will always be classics, but tans and beiges are making a comeback.
“In school, we learned ‘pops’ of colors can help the eye to make spaces interesting. This doesn’t mean you have to go overboard, but hints here and there are perfect,” said Skinner.
Muted nature colors are becoming popular, such as leafy greens, sky horizon blues and sandy colors.
“Color isn’t for everyone, and one must remember that the word ‘color’ ranges in many different hues and tones. Sometimes, a bold chartreuse chair or mustard gold dining room seats make for just the right amount of style needed. Then there is the flair of peacock blue walls with creams, tans, yellows and teals. It’s all about what fits best,” Skinner said.
While working on a design plan, Skinner learns who will be using the area and how often, as well as if food and beverages might be in the area.
“Attention to detail is the major key component in my design plan. There’s always a performance fabric to use in high-traffic areas. There are many nice linens out there — you just need to find one that works for the piece and might not wrinkle,” Skinner said.
For example, you might consider linen-upholstered chairs instead of an all-linen-skirted sofa.
“Don’t rule out vinyl,” Skinner said. “The word ‘vinyl’ can make one cringe, but there are some beautiful vinyls out there. When they are used in the right setting, it makes for easy use.”
Skinner believes that fabrics should be welcoming and make one want to touch them.
“When nestled on that special furniture, piece fabrics have a way of making you feel relaxed and can bring a touch of homeyness,” said Skinner.
Faith Dorn is a freelance writer in Anniston. Contact her at faith.h.dorn@gmail.com.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/features/look-back-to-the-passing-of-dr-cleveland-1947/article_57feb972-b255-11ec-befd-b3fcd596ee85.html
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April 2, 1947, in The Star: Funeral services for Dr. C. Hal Cleveland will be held tomorrow afternoon at his residence, 526 Keith Avenue. The prominent Anniston physician, civic and religious leader and "father of the YMCA" died this morning at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta at age 60. Dr. Cleveland has been prominently identified with the life of Anniston for 30 years, actively engaged in all phases of endeavor here. Dr. Cleveland was a past president of the Anniston Kiwanis Club, a member of the governing body of the local Methodist Church, a Sunday school teacher and chairman of the Interracial Committee of the Choccolocco Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Survivors include his wife, Lucille, a daughter, Mrs. G. G. Craddock Jr., and a son, C. Hal Cleveland Jr., currently on duty with the U.S. Navy. Also this date: Anniston High School will be represented in the State Debate Tournament starting tomorrow at the University of Alabama. Anniston students taking part in the tournament are Mary Waddell, Jerry Anchors, Thomas Watson, Susan Perkins, James Weatherly Jr. and Henry Ingram Jr. The topic being debated is, "Resolved, that the federal government should provide a system of complete medical care for all citizens at public expense."
April 2, 1997, in The Star: A pig with wanderlust has been the object of an intense search by Anniston police in the Henry Road region, but so far officers have been unable to bring home the bacon. The search has been an on-again, off-again affair for the past three weeks, initiated after a motorist called police to report that a pig was taking a leisurely stroll along the busy street. Since then, the department hashad reports of pig sightings averaging about three a day. The animal is turning out to be something of a public nuisance, rummaging through people's garbage and presenting a hazard to east side Anniston traffic.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/news/anniston/chief-bowles-swats-back-at-gambling/article_804d31cc-b2cf-11ec-b822-db6a0e6a8a87.html
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Anniston Police Chief Nick Bowles left no doubt Friday he is determined to rid the town of illegal gambling establishments.
Bowles’ comments came during his remarks at the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce Law Enforcement Forum.
“We did a major gambling establishment roundup last April where we, the county and Jacksonville hit 11 or 12 gambling establishments at one time. It was a big deal,” he said. “But, they’re still here.”
Bowles said some had shut down since last year’s raid, “and some popped right back up.”
“It is a thorn in my side,” Bowles said. “It’s minor. I don’t like to deal with it. I personally don’t care what people do with their money, but these places are illegal at this point under Alabama state law. As long as they are illegal, we will enforce the law because crime breeds crime.”
“We had a murder in February at one of the gambling establishments during a robbery. People go into these places knowing there’s money there and it’s illegal, and they go there to rob them and take their money. Unfortunately in that case, we had a murder.”
Bowles said he knew of five places “right now” operating within the city of Anniston.
“All five of them are on the radar and I absolutely don’t mind if you publish this,” he said. “Warrants are actively being sought at this point and we are going to make it very inconvenient for these people. We are going to make it inconvenient for them while they are in there playing. We’re going to make it inconvenient for the people running these establishments. I am tired of people who are giving Anniston a bad name getting a pass.”
He said the perpetrators’ faces and names would be published on all of the department’s media platforms.
“I want the whole area to know who they are and if that embarrasses them, it’s their problem, not mine,” Bowles said.
Bowles said he was not worried about what the social status of the people running the establishments might be or “how much money they have or who they think they know.”
“I can retire at any point, so I’m not worried about the people’s feelings who commit crimes in this city,” he said. “I’ll fight that fight.”
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https://www.annistonstar.com/news/jacksonville/state-group-to-aid-city-schools-in-search-for-superintendent/article_928b070c-b2ce-11ec-b1ab-9f74f78ee888.html
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Jacksonville City Schools announced Wednesday it will receive help from the Alabama Association of School Boards to find the next superintendent of the city's public schools.
After the current superintendent, Mike Newell, made it known in January that he would retire at the end of the school year, the school board began the search for his replacement. The AASB offered its help in broadening the net for applicants and by formulating a survey for Jacksonville city residents.
While the AASB will be assisting the school in the search, AASB Director of Leadership Development Susan Salter explained there will be no paid advertising for the job. Rather, the aid will come through a large pool of applicants the AASB has access to in a much larger network the group shares with other state school board associations around the country.
“We have a deep database of people who have expressed an interest in being a superintendent in Alabama or have actually applied in a search we’ve done in the past,” Salter said. “We will identify candidates to recruit through our network of contacts inside the state and outside the state. And we will make our database of potential applicants aware of the position.”
In addition to using their network, the AASB has formulated a survey that will aid in the selection of candidates.
“The Alabama Association of School Boards is helping us start our search for the next Jacksonville City Schools superintendent, and part of that effort is releasing a survey to our stakeholders to ask what they'd like to see in the district's new key leader,” the school system’s public information officer Ben Nunnally stated in a release.
The purpose of the survey is to gauge what qualities the community might look for in the next superintendent.
It will ask the public questions such as “What skills and experience should the next superintendent have?” and “Should the board look for an experienced superintendent?” according to a recent press release from the AASB.
“Right now, we are in a position that we know our superintendent is leaving,” Nunnally said. “Mike Newell is going to be retiring at the end of the school year, which is awesome for him and sad for us because we love Mr. Newell. He’s great. He’s a great leader.”
As the school board will have those big shoes to fill, Nunnally said the AASB and Jackconville City Schools will distribute a survey asking everyone — students, teachers, parents, community members, anyone who has a stake in Jacksonville City Schools — their opinion.
The AASB’s assistance will help broaden the scope of candidates to a nationwide hunt. With that nationwide scope, there will be a wide variety of applicants to choose from, according to Nunnally. The survey will help the public have a voice in the candidate that is chosen.
The survey is hosted through Survey Monkey and can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JCSsupt22.
“AASB will present the results of the survey at a public meeting or work session of the board in tentatively set for April 19,” the AASB press release stated.
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PINE HILL — One of the first people Sawyer Edwards found after clinching his Calhoun County golf title Saturday was the most recent champion.
Edwards wanted to confirm former White Plains teammate Kenny Okins’ score from last year … 5 under par.
“I didn’t know what he shot,” Edwards said. “I knew it was in the 60s the first day, but I didn’t remember what it was the second day. It was five.”
Edwards missed Okins’ mark by a stroke but matched his Friday 70 with a Saturday 70 to finish 4-under-par 140 for the tournament, beating Weaver’s Nick Ledbetter by six strokes and Oxford’s Nic Boyd by eight.
Edwards’ led the repeat team title for White Plains, which finished at 603 … 71 strokes ahead of Alexandria and Oxford, who tied for second after two attempts at a playoff on No. 18.
Alexandria also paused White Plains’ dominance in the girls’ division, beating the Wildcats 499-516 after finishing second to them last year. It was Alexandria’s first county title since 2015..
“It’s a credit to their work ethic and their hard work that they put in,” said Alexandria coach Craig Kiker, who also credited Brenard Howard for his work with the team. “He’s a hall-of-fame coach for a reason, and not just his basketball career. He spends a ton of time with these girls teaching them how to play.
“It’s nothing I did. It’s all them.”
Alexandria’s Lauren Sechrest went 78-81-159 to knock off the defending champion, White Plains’ Abby Gattis, by seven shots. Sechrest was second to Gattis in 2021.
“I can’t even describe it,” Sechrest said. “It honestly hasn’t even sunk in yet, but I’m just so blessed and so proud of my teammates and the way they played.
“It’s really gratifying when you think of all of the hard work you put in and see it come to fruition.”
White Plains’ boys kept it in the family, and a tight family it is. Okins, now playing for Southern Union, made the trip home to watch his former teammates win county on their home course.
“Yesterday, our last four champions, Leighton Bussey called,” White Plains coach Chris Randall said. “I talked to Cam (McCareeth); he works at the golf course. Kenny drove from Auburn to get here and watch, and Sawyer wins it.
“That’s a pretty cool thing when you’ve got a bunch of former players pulling for their former teammate to win the championship.”
Winning perpetuates the expectation.
“Wyatt Cotney, our eighth-grader, sees that,” Randall said. “Cam Hurst, another eighth-grader, sees that. They want to be like those other guys.”
White Plains' Sawyer Edwards finishes off #CalhounGolf22 victory. pic.twitter.com/T1GjO1W0LU
— Joe Medley (@jmedley_star) April 2, 2022
As for Edwards, the 2021 county tournament was the first for White Plains to count his score.
“He wasn’t in our top five, and he earned that through qualifying,” Randall said.
It began a second-half season surge that led to his becoming a major contributor for what became a Class 4A state-championship team. He remained No. 5 on the roster but consistently posted the team’s second- or third-best score.
“To go from not starting to winning the county in 365 days is a testament to how hard he works,” Randall said. “He lives out here. He’s either playing golf or throwing cornhole, one of the two. You can bet.”
Edwards, who entered the final round tied at 2 under, opened the second round with two birdies but had to rebound from bogeys on Nos. 4-6. He was 3 under the rest of the way.
He called winning the county title “cool.”
“I lost the club championship on 18, and that’s been in the back of my head for a really long time,” he said. “I’ve been really thinking about it and hoping I don’t do it again.”
Ledbetter was 1 under headed to No. 9 but went bogey, double bogey and bogey.
“Nick played well today, and he played well all weekend,” Weaver coach Justin Brown said. “I just talked to him. He basically had three bad holes in a row for the tournament, and Sawyer played well enough not to let that affect him.
“It is what it is. We’re going to go out and practice on Monday and work on the things we need to work on to get better.”
2022 Calhoun County golf tournament
Final
Pine Hill Country Club
Boys
(Top four count toward team score)
White Plains (309-294—603)
Sawyer Edwards 70-70—140 (medalist)
Wyatt Cotney 76-75—151
Dalton Faulkner 78-73—151
Cam Hurst 86-76—162
Zach Goss 85-81—166
Oxford (342-332—674)
Nic Boyd 75-73—148
Brayden Cochran 86-81—167
Cohen Picton 91-88—179
Mike Tippets 90-90—180
Hayden Coppock 98-91—189
Alexandria (346-328—674)
Braxton Kiker 84-78—162
Cleat Forrest 83-81—164
Jamarcus Stokes 86-79—165
Braxton Tucker 93-92—185
Logan Ponder 95-90—185
Piedmont (387-371—758)
Jacob McCurdy 84-86—170
Conner Williams 90-83—173
Trent Young 104-93—197
Coleman Reid 109-109—218
Bennett Clemons 116-112—228
Weaver (378-387—765)
Nick Ledbetter 70-76—146
Jackson Williams 101-95—196
Carson Cason 98-107—205
Hunter Hise 109-109—218
John Curtis Reeves 117-120—237
Jacksonville (398-380—778)
Zach Limberis 95-95—190
Dakoda Willingham 97-87—184
Julian Hill 99-102—201
Walker Hobbs 107-96—203
Stone Walker 109-104—213
Pleasant Valley (440-423—863)
Zeke Johnson 104-99—203
Brennan Parker 106-105—211
Austin Worthy 111-107—219
Luke Bridges 119-120—239
Noah Pate 137-137-112—239
Individuals
FIsher Prichard (Alexandria) 87-84—171
Karson Faulkner (Alexandria) 87-81—168
Pierson Otralek (Alexandria) 89-87—176
Caleb Gay (Alexandria) 104-108—212
Cam Lockridge (Piedmont) 121-121—242
Jayden Matthews (Piedmont) 124-124—248
Bentley Chandler (Piedmont) 130-118—248
Dorian McKechar (Jacksonville) 107-109—216
Jackson Rosier (Jacksonville) 109-121—230
Matthew Vanover (Jacksonville) 101-127—228
Jacob Tola (Jacksonville) 123-128—251
Konnor Mayfield (Weaver) 119-117—236
Hayden Heard (Oxford) 126-116—242
Chip Mraz (Oxford) 110-93—203
Brock Reaves (Oxford) 101-103—204
Score Bussey (Oxford) 100-96—196
Hudson Harmon (Oxford) 110-101—211
Daniel Norred (White Plains) 87-92—179
Ethan Turner (White Plains) 89-84—173
Noah Holder (White Plains) 97-91—188
All-County (top 15)
1. Sawyer Edwards (White Plains) 70-70—140
2. Nick Ledbetter (Weaver) 70-76—146
3. Nic Boyd (Oxford) 75-73—148
4. Wyatt Cotney (White Plains) 76-75—151
(tie) Dalton Faulkner (White Plains) 78-73—151
6. Braxton Kiker (Alexandria) 84-78—162
(tie) Cam Hurst (White Plains) 86-76—162
8. Cleat Forrest (Alexandria) 83-81—164
9. Jamarcus Stokes (Alexandria) 86-79—165
10. Zach Goss (White Plains) 85-81—166
11. Brayden Cochran (Oxford) 86-81—167
12. Karson Faulkner (Alexandria) 87-81—168
13. Jacob McCurdy (Piedmont) 84-86—170
14. FIsher Prichard (Alexandria) 87-84—171
15. Conner Williams (Piedmont) 90-83—173
(tie) Ethan Turner (White Plains) 89-84—173
GIRLS
(Top three count toward team score)
Alexandria (255-244—499)
Lauren Sechrest 78-81—159 (medalist)
Emma Ray 87-80—167
Emilee Brown 90-83—173
Reagan Finley 92-92—184
White Plains (262-254—516)
Abby Gattis 83-83—166
Baylie Webb 85-90—175
Isabel Rogers 94-81—175
Alivia Ward 102-95—197
Pleasant Valley (309-302—611)
Marlie Wright 101-100—201
Gracie Davis 102-100—202
Abby Whisenant 106-102—208
Weaver (327-298—625)
Carmella Reese 101-89—190
Alexis Cleveland 112-102—214
Demari Grant 114-108—222
Tessa Taubenheim 119-107—226
Piedmont (332-331—663)
Mayce Chandler 106-111—217
Ella Floyd 107-111—218
Brookelyn Goss 119-109—218
Alley Smith 144-136—280
Oxford (368-348—716)
Annabelle Page 94-92—186
Kaylee LaPlante 137-127—264
Abigail Logan 137-129—266
Individuals
Marlee Hedgepeth (Alexandria) 107-103—210
Avery Prickett (Alexandria) 102-85—187
Neveah Foster (Alexandria) 103-95—198
Reece Kirkpatrick (Piedmont) 144-132—276
Baleigh Bown (Weaver) 120-145—265
Reagan Hammack (Jacksonville) 132-125—257
Rachel Gattis (White Plains) 107-106—213
Maddie Faulkner (White Plains) 110-105—215
Allie Presley (White Plains) 112-105—217
Madison Boyd (White Plains) 119-110—229
Maylee Stewart (White Plains) 130-118—248
Addie Crumley (White Plains) 120-129—249
All-County (top 15)
1. Lauren Sechrest (Alexandria) 78-81—159
2. Abby Gattis (White Plains) 83-83—166
3. Emma Ray (Alexandria) 87-80—167
4. Emilee Brown (Alexandria) 90-83—173
5. Isabel Rogers (White Plains) 94-81—175
(tie) Baylie Webb (White Plains) 85-90—175
7. Reagan Finley (Alexandria) 92-92—184
8. Annabelle Page (Oxford) 94-92—186
9. Avery Prickett (Alexandria) 102-85—187
10. Carmella Reese (Weaver) 101-89—190
11. Alivia Ward (White Plains) 102-95—197
12. Neveah Foster (Alexandria) 103-95—198
13. Marlie Wright (Pleasant Valley) 101-100—201
14. Gracie Davis (Pleasant Valley) 102-100—202
15. Abby Whisenant (Pleasant Valley) 106-102—208
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https://www.annistonstar.com/news/anniston/mark-april-9-on-your-calendar-for-cycling-races-and-sidewalk-treats-in-downtown-anniston/article_9f31df08-b2d3-11ec-bf34-0b63ee6c675a.html
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Next Saturday the fun and pageantry of the Noble Street Festival and the athleticism of the Sunny King Criterium will return for another spin in downtown Anniston. Jackson Hodges, Main Street Anniston director, said this year’s festival is shaping up to be one of the most exciting ever put on.
“Main Street Anniston is extremely excited for the 20th anniversary of the Noble Street Festival and Sunny King Criterium on April 9 from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.,” Hodges said.
“We have over 65 vendors, which is a new record, we have an awesome free Kidzone sponsored by Sunny King, we will have Combat Park back again with all of their exciting vehicles and equipment,” Hodges said.
The Sunny King Criterium begins at 10 a.m. and will conclude with the US Pro women’s and men’s races that night.
And a week out, it’s possible that the weather will cooperate. We all know how springtime can be in Alabama, but the forecast for April 9 calls for a high of 63 degrees and mostly sunny.
The Noble Street Festival will include:
— Taste on Noble Street
— Sunny King Toyota Kids Zone that will feature Big Sam the Balloon Man, mechanical bull, swings and more
— Wounded Warriors Way
— Mellow Mushroom Mad Dash 1K at 4:45
— Just for Fun YMCA Kidz Bike Races at 5 p.m.
— Amateur bicycle races at 10 a.m.
— Anniston Museum and Gardens animal show at 11:15 a.m. and 4:15 p.m.
— Live music with Andrew May at noon
— Live music by Melanin Magic at 2:30
— Live music by The Breakfast Club at 5 p.m.
— Professional bike races begin at 6 p.m.
Some of the food vendors occupying booths this year include:
— Called Coffee
— Simone’s Kitchen ATL
— Kona Ice
— Dixie Dogs
— Kristi’s Classics
— The Funnel Cloud
— Cutter’s Pizzeria
— Kin Express
— Bonnie Ray’s
Other vendors include:
— Mark’s Artisan Woodcrafts
— JkBoards
— JC Morgan
— Succ It Up
— Sweet Delight
— Ulti-Mutt Bakery (pet treats)
— Curio Shop & Skate
— Skye’s The Limit
Other booths will feature local businesses, politicians and nonprofits.
The start/finish line of the Sunny King Criterium will be located at 11th and Noble Streets. The one-kilometer course has four turns and a sound and video system that will keep revelers up to date on all the racing action. The major race is the first of a 10-race season on the 2022 American Criterium Cup professional crit series calendar.
Admission is free to both the races and the festival.
“We invite everyone to come down and have a great time with Main Street Anniston,” Hodges said.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/news/jacksonville/leave-it-to-the-prose/article_13edb946-b2d1-11ec-bd74-930f52b7ab41.html
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JACKSONVILLE — Rare books, paper collectibles, shrunken heads — the little antique bookstore Recollected Books has enticed fans of the printed page through its doors for 27 years.
Patrons are greeted by piles and piles of books, antiques, and an orange tabby cat — its owner not far, in a little nook behind the desk and surrounded by book stacks nearly to the ceiling.
Shop owner Jon Henricks, 76, is proud of the longevity and rootedness of his enterprise.
“I like to claim that other than the bank, which has changed names, I am the oldest business on the square operating in the same locale with the same name — there are a lot of qualifications here,” Henricks said with a chuckle.
He said he “chickened out” at the beginning of the pandemic and closed the bookstore for a year out of precaution. He struggled with ideas of reopening the store after its year hiatus, but ultimately missed the connection with the community the bookstore afforded.
“I decided what I really wanted to do was get back into it, and one of the joys of all of this is talking to people about books, about ideas,” Henricks said. “It's the interpersonal interactions as much as anything.”
Jessica Dickeson, of White Plains, said recently she was visiting the Jacksonville square when she wandered into the bookstore, curious as to what it offered.
“When I first walked into the bookstore, the first thing I noticed was the old-school feel, which I loved,” Dickeson said. “The store was calming and cozy. It was peacefully quiet, like a bookstore should be.”
The Quality Shop — located two doors down from Recollected Books — has been in business since 1935 in various locations on the square. Rena Comisac, whose family owns The Quality Shop, had nothing but kind things to say about Henricks and the bookstore, calling it “a booklovers’ haven.”
“It’s a great business to have on the square. Jon’s been a fantastic neighbor,” Comisac said. “It’s the kind of shop where if you are looking to spend a day on the square, you’ve got to hit Recollected Books.”
Bookstores are disappearing and going out of business, Henricks explained, because many of them rent the buildings. The rising cost of inflation and landlords raising rent prices, Henricks said many bookstore owners can’t “afford the overhead.” Henricks said he rented the building he operates out of for years before he was “fortunate enough” to purchase it.
His wife, Karen Henricks, died three years ago, and she had shared Henricks love of books and collectibles. With the passing of his wife, he said the bookstore has become “increasingly important to me with regards to keeping me engaged with the world.”
“This is how I entertain myself and stay sane, I suppose,” Henricks said.
Henricks opened the bookstore in 1995 after a life dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. Henricks was a college professor for nearly 40 years, he said — teaching sociology at the University of Missouri, Columbia College, Huntingdon College, and Gadsden State.
“Many years ago, my wife was offered a position up here — she taught art history,” Henricks said. “So she got a job up here and I was down in Huntington, and after a couple of years I just decided that I’d come up here.”
Henricks and his wife moved to the area around 1992. After a few years at Gadsden State, with more 3,000 books in his personal collection, Henricks decided to open the bookstore.
Upon opening the store, more and more books and collectibles were added.
“Over the years I kept adding books — I bought a lot of books, people donated books, I liked books,” Henricks said. “I was a bibliophile for a long time.”
Posters, ostrich eggs, preserved insect specimens and beehives decorated the shop sporadically amongst the layers of aging titles.
Asked if his wife had ever minded the volume of volumes, Henricks said she didn’t — that he was “lucky enough” they were equally matched in that regard.
“She was an art historian, so she liked books too,” Henricks said.
Despite the labyrinth of books on carts, shelves, and boxes lining every inch of the store, Henricks said he knows where every book is located — or rather where it should be, should it fall into the hands of a child who doesn’t return it to its proper location.
There was even a library of sorts lining the walls of the bathroom.
Perhaps the most rare of his collection, was a thin browning paperback “Study in Scarlet” by Arthur Conan Doyle — his Sherlock Holmes tale, with a price tag of $20,000.
Henricks said the rare paperback was donated to him with various other boxes full of other books, buried under books that weren’t worth much and were destined for the trash bin.
The little booklet turned out to be a first edition of the first paperback copy in America. In terms of value, a first edition hardback copy done in the same year sells for $40,000. However, in terms of scarcity, Henricks said this edition was even more rare.
He then pointed out a signed edition of Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” that he said he found in a thrift store.
“Those are among some of the joys of book collecting,” Henricks said.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/sports/high_school/prep-roundup-red-hot-piedmont-rolls-past-alexandria/article_dc1c5e9e-b2e6-11ec-8dbb-731e43057bb1.html
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ALEXANDRIA — McClane Mohon and his Piedmont teammates are on a tear, and it continued against Alexandria on Saturday.
Mohon followed up his grand slam at Cherokee County on Friday with another homer, and the Bulldogs rolled to an 11-1 victory for their 14th consecutive victory.
Piedmont's streak started after a loss to Pell City the week following a 10-9 loss to Alexandria in the Calhoun County tournament.
Mohon went 3-for-4 with three runs and four RBIs Saturday. His extra-base hits included a double.
—Austin Estes, RBI.
—Noah Reedy, 2-for-4, triple, three runs, RBI.
—Jake Austin, 2-for-4, two RBIs.
—Cassius Fairs, 1-for-3, double, run, two RBIs.
—Brodie Homesley, spread out five hits over seven innings, allowing one earned run and one walk to go with six strikeouts.
Alexandria's top performers:
—Austin West, 1-for-3, double, run.
—Sam Wade, 2-for-2.
—Sam Henegar, 1-for-3, RBI.
Donoho 7, Appalachian 5: Judson Billings' solo home run highlighted Donoho's seven-run fourth inning, and the rally proved to be all Donoho needed to record its 10th victory of the season.
Billings also pitched two innings in relief, allowing two hits, no earned runs and no walks with three strikeouts.
Other top performers for Donoho (10-3):
—Lucas Elliott: 1-for-4, run, two RBIs.
—Slade Haney, 1-for-3, double, run, RBI.
—Blake Sewell, 2-for-2, run, RBI; pitched five innings, allowing five hits, one earned run and one walk to go with seven strikeouts.
—Kai Cleckler, 2-for-4, run, RBI.
—Will Folsom, 2-for-4, double, run, RBI.
Glencoe 15, Jacksonville 4: Carmelo Canales went 1-for-3 with a double in an otherwise tough day for Jacksonville. Nic Salmon went 1-for-3 with a double.
Softball
White Plains 7, Piedmont 2: Playing in the Handley Lady Tiger Classic at Oxford Lake, White Plains got two doubles and three RBIs from Callie Richardson en route to victory over a Calhoun County rival.
The victory was part of a big two days for White Plains in the Handley tourney. The Wildcats also beat Collinsville 10-0, Handley 7-1, Sand Rock 5-3 and Pelham 6-3.
Other top performers for White Plains (21-4):
—Cooper Martin, 2-for-3, two runs.
—Leighton Arnold, 1-for-3, RBI; spread out three hits over four innings with seven strikeouts.
—Courtnee Masson, 1-for-3, RBI.
—Hallie Williams, 1-for-2, run.
Top performers for Piedmont:
—Emily Farmer, 1-for-2, home run, two RBIs.
—Cayla Brothers, 2-for-2.
White Plains' top performers in other games:
—Camden Wilson, 1-for-2, run against Pelham; 1-for-2, run against Sand Rock; 1-for-1, three runs, RBI against Handley; 2-for-3, two runs against Collinsville.
—Cooper Martin, 2-for-2, double, run, RBI against Pelham;
—Richardson, 1-for-2, double, run, RBI against Pelham; 2-for-3, double, two runs, RBI against Sand Rock; 1-for-3, RBI against Handley; 2-for-3, home run, two runs, three RBIs against Collinsville.
—Masson, 1-for-2, double, two runs against Pelham;
—Callyn Martin, 1-for-1, RBI against Pelham; 1-for-2, RBI against Sand Rock; 1-for-2, double, run, RBI against Collinsville.
—Jaylee Crow, pitched four innings against Pelham, allowed five hits, one earned run, one walk with five strikeouts; pitched 2 2/3 innings of relief against Sand Rock, allowing one hit and one walk with three strikeouts; pitched four innings against Handley, allowing one hit, one earned run and one walk with six strikeouts; pitched four innings against Collinsville, allowing one hit, no runs and one walk with nine strikeouts.
—Emma Howard, 2-for-3, home run,run, three RBIs against Sand Rock; 1-for-1, two RBIs against Collinsville.
—Williams, 1-for-2, run, two RBIs against Collinsville.
Piedmont 2, Handley 1: Savannah Smith got one of Piedmont's three hits and and the Bulldogs' lone RBI to beat the Handley Lady Tiger Classic host at Oxford Lake on Saturday.
She also pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowing one hit and no runs. Also Saturday, she pitched five innings in a 1-0 loss to Pelham, allowing three hits and one earned run with five strikeouts.
On Friday, the Bulldogs (11-7) beat Sand Rock 3-2 and Collinsville 10-4.
Other top performers for Piedmont against Handley and Pelham:
—Farmer, 1-for-2 against Pelham; pitched 2 2/3 innings against Handley, allowing one hit and no earned runs with a strikeout.
—Jenna Calvert, 1-for-3 against Handley.
—Cacey Brothers,1-for-2,double against Handley.
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JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville State’s Alex Carignan says he’s fully healthy, and he’s heating up at the plate as a result.
The senior catcher from Murfreesboro, Tenn., was responsible for the Gamecocks’ lone run in a 13-1 loss to Eastern Kentucky at Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium on Saturday. Carignan hit a solo home run — his second of the season — in the bottom of the second inning and finished the night 2-for-4.
It continued a strong run of late for Carignan. Over his last six games, he has a .409 batting average.
That’s a vast difference from where he was early in the season. After starting JSU’s season opener against Kentucky, Carignan missed the next five games with an oblique injury. He struggled after returning to the lineup. Through his first ten games, he was hitting .154.
“It’s one of those things where I’ve always been a guy that makes a lot of contact, and I was starting to swing and miss,” he said. “For somebody that’s never done that, you are kind of like, ‘Is there a hole in my bat, you know, what’s going on?’
“As you get healthier, and you’re able to take more swings on off days when you don’t have games, you know, things start clicking.”
Things started clicking for Carignan last weekend against North Alabama. He finished the three-game series 5-for-11 with four RBIs.
It’s carried over into this weekend’s series against EKU. He’s 4-for-8 with two RBIs in two games against the Colonels.
It simply took Carignan a little time to get back in the grove. His batting average is now up to .246 for the season.
“I’ve never really taken more than a week off of hitting in my life. With the oblique injury, I was forced to take some time off. When I came back, the swing felt funky, it felt off. I hadn’t seen live pitching. I was getting pitched a little differently, hitting in the four-hole, which I hadn’t done a whole lot prior.
“But I think just that level of comfortability is coming back, you know, feeling better.”
As for what head coach Jim Case had to say about Carignan’s turnaround: “I think character always comes to the top.”
What to know
—JSU’s pitching staff struggled mightily Saturday night, as seven Gamecocks combined to allow 13 earned runs on 17 hits and 12 walks. The lone bright spot was Trey Fortner, who came in for an injured Cole Turner, and allowed one hit and one walk over 1⅓ innings. The junior from Gloucester, Va., has given up just two hits and two walks over 10⅓ scoreless innings during his last four appearances.
—T.J. Reeves singled in the bottom of the fourth inning. He’s now reached base in 14 straight contests. Reeves and Brooks Bryan finished the game 1-for-3. Mason Maners and Cole Frederick both went 1-for-4.
—Kendal Ewell led the Colonels at the plate, finishing a triple shy of the cycle. He went 3-for-4 with three runs, four RBIs and two walks. His three-run homer off of Reid Fagerstrom in the top of the fourth broke the game open, giving EKU a 6-1 lead. That was plenty of run support for Rese Brown, who allowed five hits and two walks over eight innings pitched.
Who said
—Case on Fortner’s 10-inning scoreless streak: “That’s kind of what we expect from him. A guy that’s a veteran, and he’s going to go out, and even in a tough circumstance, he’s going to do his job.”
—Case on what the Gamecocks need to do to bounce back: “I think it’s important for starting pitching to go out and get the game going under control and give us a chance to play from the front instead of the rear. They’ve proven that they do a good job playing from the front. I want to see what happens when they play from the rear.”
Next up
—JSU (12-13, 6-2 ASUN) entered the weekend with a one-game lead in the West Division standings. The Gamecocks now trail EKU (20-8, 7-1) by one game. The finale of the three-game set is today at 1 p.m.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_daily_home/free/pastor-michael-j-brooks-no-regrets-most-of-us-live-with-regret/article_5db29cbc-b12e-11ec-a73f-eb41a3a603d5.html
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A pastor told of a collection of shirts he acquired from a church member. They were all short-sleeved for summer wear, and most fairly new.
He explained the donor was a new Christian and with a new perspective saw the awful tattoos emblazoned on his arms.
“Now that I’m a Christian I will wear long-sleeved shirts to cover these tattoos,” he told his pastor. “I’d not really cared about them before, but now I don’t want to offend the Lord or anyone else with them.”
I’ve seen tattoos over the years that were lewd, but many today are more subdued, portraying butterflies, bunny rabbits and rainbows. One-third of Americans under 30 have at least one tattoo.
The most often used tattooed phrase is “no regrets,” but this is untrue since three of four who get tattoos eventually regret doing so! Accordingly, the tattoo removal business is booming in our country. Many with second thoughts do as this man did and cover them with clothing.
According to Daniel Pink, “no regrets” is a lie anyway.
Pink fostered the American Regret Project through which he surveyed 15,000 people in over 100 countries. He asked, “How often do you look back on your life and wish you had done things differently?” Eighty-two percent said regret is at least an occasional part of their lives. Two percent reported feeling regret "all the time," and only one percent said they never felt regret.
Most of us live with regret. We had opportunity to earn a degree to advance our career, but didn’t, or we spoke cruel words in haste, or we triggered brokenness in our family or we made a poor moral choice hurting ourselves and others.
In “The Power of Regret,” Pink argued regret is an ally for positive change and that it can motivate us to do better and to be better.
“We can convert our regret into fuel for progress,” he wrote.
Alfred Nobel awoke to read his obituary in a morning newspaper. The reporter confused the death of Nobel's brother, Ludwig, and reported that “the merchant of death is dead.”
Alfred Nobel was an inventor and a chemist. His best-known invention was dynamite, the most powerful explosive force in its day. His invention made him wealthy, but also earned him the aforementioned title since dynamite became a weapon of warfare.
Eight years later Alfred Nobel died, but he left his fortune to fund a series of cash awards for those who made society better. Today we remember him not as a merchant of death but as the founder of the Nobel Peace Prizes.
Nobel rewrote his obituary. Regret fueled positive change in his life, and it can in ours as well.
Reflections is a weekly devotional feature written by Michael J. Brooks, pastor of the Siluria Baptist Church in Alabaster. The church’s website is siluriabaptist.com.
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April 3, 1947, in The Star: The proposed closing of Fort McClellan is a shame and disgrace to Congress when the sound of marching feet is still so close, Rep. Albert Rains of the Seventh Congressional District of Alabama told Calhoun County Democrats in a speech last night. Also this date: A new drug store opens in Anniston tomorrow when J. S. McCain opens a second store to augment the selection of merchandise currently offered by the store he opened three years ago at 27 East 10th Street. The new store, under the name of McCain’s Cut-Rate Drug Store No. 2, occupies 3,000 square feet of floor space at 911 Noble Street [space now occupied by the restaurant Thai One On]. The store’s druggist is E. F. Craighead and the soda fountain is under the direction of J. W. “Johnny” Burgess. Fluorescent lighting creates a beautiful daylight effect throughout. According to an advertisement for “Fountain Opening Specials,” a sandwich and a cup of coffee cost 20 cents. An ice cream soda costs a dime.
April 3, 1997, in The Star: Customers of Regions Bank soon will be able to do some of their banking via the internet. By this fall, Regions Bank customers will be able to open checking, savings and money market accounts online. They also will be able to pay bills, transfer funds between accounts and buy CDs (certificates of deposit, that is). Also this date: Calhoun County baseball fans returned from Atlanta last week with passionate reports about the Braves' new home, a 49,800-seat stadium reconfigured from its use as the centerpiece for the 1996 Summer Olympic games and modestly renamed “Turner Field.” It has entertainment and concession areas that invite comfortable pedestrian traffic — but only rich pedestrians, as a family of four could well pay $130 to be entertained and fed at a ball game; that’s reckoned to be the highest price in Major League Baseball. It takes into account a 34 percent ticket price hike over last year and Cokes — Cokes, in their hometown, no less — that cost $3.50
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Jacksonville State dropped two of three at Florida Gulf Coast on a weekend series trip that was a problem from the start.
The Gamecocks went to the airport in Atlanta on Friday morning to fly out to Fort Myers, Fla., which is where Florida Gulf Coast is located. Their flight was canceled, and the airline couldn't book such a large group on later flights.
For a solution, JSU took a bus to Fort Myers and didn't arrive in town until Saturday at about 4 a.m.
According to an Associated Press report, more than 3,300 United States flights were canceled this weekend because of weather in Florida and other issues.
In addition, JSU was without shortstop Chaney Phillips because of illness.
On Saturday afternoon, JSU lost to Florida Gulf Coast 5-2 on a three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth. Then the Gameoccks' Sarah Currie pitched a four-hitter and teammate Camryn McLemore slugged a solo homer for a 1-0 win.
On Sunday afternoon, Currie pitched again and allowed eight hits in a 3-0 loss, as the JSU bats produced only two doubles and a single.
JSU (20-15, 4-5 ASUN) will play again Tuesday at Alabama State. Florida Gulf Coast is now 13-22, including 6-6 in the ASUN.
Five to know
—Sidney Wagnon was 3-for-9 with a double and two walks in the series. She had one hit in each game.
—McLemore finished 4-for-11 with a hit in each game. She had a double, the home run and an RBI.
—Megan Fortner went 4-for-10 with two doubles and an RBI.
—Karsen Mosley had a double during the Sunday game.
—Kat Carter pitched 7⅔ innings in Saturday's opening game, allowing five runs and receiving credit for the pitching loss.
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2022 Calhoun County softball tournament
At Calhoun County Sports Complex, JSU
Seedings and county/overall records
1. Alexandria: 3-0, 27-6
2. White Plains: 6-0, 21-4
3. Piedmont: 4-2, 11-7
4. Pleasant Valley: 3-4, 16-11-1
5. Weaver: 4-4, 11-9
6. Jacksonville: 4-5, 15-15-1
7. Ohatchee: 4-4, 9-12-1
8. Oxford: 0-3, 4-12-2
9. Jacksonville Christian: 3-0, 7-3
10. Saks: 2-6, 5-21-1
11. Wellborn: 0-1, 3-9
12. Anniston: 1-1, 2-6
13, Faith Christian: 0-2, 0-11
Schedule
Monday
At Calhoun County Sports Complex
(Double elimination)
No. 7 Ohatchee vs. No. 10 Saks, 3 p.m.
No. 6 Jacksonville vs. No. 11 Wellborn, 3 p.m.
No. 4 Pleasant Valley vs. No. 13 Faith Christian, 3 p.m.
No. 5 Weaver vs. No. 12 Anniston, 3 p.m.
No. 8 Oxford vs. No. 9 Jacksonville Christian, 3 p.m.
Winners’ bracket
No. 1 Alexandria vs. Oxford/JCA, 4:30 p.m.
No. 2 White Plains vs. Ohatchee/Saks, 4:30 p.m.
No. 3 Piedmont vs. Jacksonville-Wellborn, 4:30 p.m.
Pleasant Valley/Faith vs. Weaver/Anniston, 4:30 p.m.
Elimination bracket
Pleasant Valley/Faith vs. Weaver/Anniston, 4:30 p.m.
Remaining four games played at 6 p.m.
Thursday
At Calhoun County Sports Complex
Winners’ bracket semifinals, 3 p.m.
Two elimination bracket games, 3 p.m.
Two elimination bracket games, 4:30 p.m.
Elimination bracket, 6 p.m.
Winners’ bracket final, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
At JSU
Elimination-bracket final, 5 p.m.
Championship, 7 p.m.
If-necessary game, 9 p.m.
2022 Calhoun County soccer tournament
At McClellan
Seedings and county/overall records
BOYS
1. Donoho: 6-0, 7-0
2. Oxford: 2-0, 4-7
3. White Plains: 4-1, 6-3
4. Faith Christian: 3-2, 6-3
5. Jacksonville: 3-5, 5-5
6. Saks: 1-3, 2-5-2
7. Weaver: 1-7, 2-10
GIRLS
1. Donoho: 5-0, 8-0
2. Oxford: 2-0, 6-7
3. Weaver: 3-3, 4-5-1
4. Jacksonville: 3-3, 4-4
5. Saks: 1-3, 3-4-2
6. Faith Christian: 1-3, 2-7
Schedules
BOYS
Monday
No. 4 Faith Christian vs. No. 5 Jacksonville, 7 p.m.
No. 2 Oxford vs. No. 7 Weaver, 7 p.m.
No. 3 White Plains vs. No. 6 Saks, 7 p.m.
Thursday
No. 1 Donoho vs. Faith-Jacksonville winner, 7 p.m.
Oxford/Weaver vs, White Plains/Saks, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 7 p.m.
GIRLS
Monday
No. 4 Jacksonville vs. No. 5 Saks, 5 p.m.
No. 3 Weaver vs. No. 6 Faith Christian, 5 p.m.
Thursday
No. 1 Donoho vs. Jacksonville/Saks, 5 p.m.
No. 2 Oxford vs. Weaver/Faith Christian, 5 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 3 p.m.
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JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville State and Eastern Kentucky played a three-game series this weekend to see who's the best team in the ASUN West Division.
For now, it's definitely not the Gamecocks.
EKU took Sunday's contest 10-5, giving the Colonels a decisive sweep. They won Friday 10-5 and Saturday 13-1.
"Some teams have it on the weekends, and this was definitely their weekend," fifth-year JSU senior Isaac Alexander said. "I feel like they took advantage of every mistake and swung it really well and made some great pitches to us all weekend. It's hard to beat that."
Eastern Kentucky is now 21-8, including 8-1 in the West Division, which is good for first place and a two-game lead. JSU, which entered the series as the West leader, is now 12-14 overall and 6-3 in the division. The Gamecocks are tied for second with Central Arkansas, which took two of three at North Alabama this weekend and will host JSU next week.
For the weekend, EKU scored 33 runs on 42 hits. Only four of the runs were unearned, which came on a two-out grand slam in the first game, which followed a fielding error.
JSU never led in any game this weekend, and EKU took the lead for good in all three contests by the third inning. Sunday was no different.
EKU put runners on first and third in the first inning with no outs, but JSU starter Camden Lovrich got out of it with no runs scoring. No such luck in the second. Charles Ludwick opened with a solo home run. Roderick Criss singled home a run, and Kendal Elwell delivered a two-run single with two outs.
JSU managed a run in the bottom of the fourth, but the Colonels poured on four more runs in the top of the fifth for a comfortable 8-1 advantage.
"Some things for them, they couldn't stop, and we couldn't get going. They did everything right, it seemed like," JSU assistant coach Evan Bush said. "For us, it's about putting it behind us and start a new week this week and get going right."
Head coach Jim Case wasn't at the game as he was speaking at the funeral of a close friend. Bush ran the team. Case serves as his own pitching coach, but in this case, volunteer assistant Kyle Cameron made mound visits that didn't involve taking out the pitcher. When the hook was needed, it was Bush who went to the mound to do it.
JSU managed five hits and six walks and took advantage of an EKU error and three wild pitches to produce five runs.
"They were good. The (pitcher) Friday was really good. The guy Saturday was good, and today, I think we let them off the hook a little bit," Bush said. "We missed some at-bats. Like I said, we'll put it behind us, and go on next week."
What to know
—Alex Carignan went 1-for-5 with a two-out double in the fifth inning that drove in three runs.
—Alexander was 1-for-4 and finished the series with three hits.
—Cole Frederick was 1-for-4 with two runs and a walk. Mason Maners was 1-for-3 with two walks, and T.J. Reeves was 1-for-3 with two walks.
—The Sunday game drew 1,221, partly to hear Atlanta Braves mascot Blooper and the organization's organist, Matthew Kaminski.
Who said
—Alexander on the one positive: "The good thing is that we get to play them again. Hopefully, we can take it to them next time."
Next up
—JSU is set to play at Alabama State on Tuesday, although the weather forecast is calling for rain.
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According to St. Clair County Coroner Dennis Russell, Cassie Carli, 37, who was reported missing from Navarre Beach, was discovered in a shallow grave inside a barn off Highway 11 in Springville yesterday.
Russell said that the cause of death has not yet been determined while autopsy results are expected tomorrow that should help with the investigation.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson said the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office and Springville Police Department were assisting in the search. The body was eventually identified by a tattoo.
The sheriff added that the property is linked to Carli’s ex-boyfriend Marcus Spanevelo, who met with Carli for the custody exchange of their 4-year-old daughter.
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April 4, 1947, in The Star: An organizational meeting of the Anniston Lions Club was held last night at 7 at the Jefferson Davis Hotel with 28 charter members. J. S. Hardegree was elected president and F. P. Gulledge was elected first vice president. Max Worthy holds the position of “tail twister.” Also this date: The two sections of the ninth grade civics class of Anniston High School, accompanied by instructors Mr. J. H. Rutledge and Miss Myrtle Lee Fryar, visited the offices of The Anniston Star two days ago during the afternoon to observe first hand the production of a newspaper. Starting upstairs, the students saw the news coming in from all parts of the world on teletype machines and local news being prepared by reporters. Following the “copy” downstairs, the children saw advertisements being made up and both advertising and news copy being set into type, then made up into page, cast, and finally obtained a paper fresh from the rolling presses. A few of the students on the tour were Donald Frazier, Clifford Gober, John Whitlock, Evelyn Cheatwood, June Craton, Jane Edwards, Betty Hancock, Douglas Nolan, Troy Talley, Joyce Patty, Evelyn Riley, Joyce Wilkerson and Billy Dillard.
April 4, 1997, in The Star: Addressing the Anniston Kiwanis Club yesterday on the current condition of his city, Anniston Mayor Gene Stedham said things are going well, and problems are being addressed. “The council I serve on has a lot of expertise, and we’re working together to address every thorn that we’ve uncovered. We’re the most professionally run city of our size in the state,” Stedham said. Also this date: O’Henrietta, the pig whose exploits and adventures as a wild, wandering creature around the eastern section of Henry Road in Anniston, has now caught the attention of national news media for her determination to remain out of captivity. Local police have been trying to catch O’Henrietta for nearly three weeks.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/news/nation_world/calls-grow-for-more-sanctions-on-russia-after-mass-graves-found-around-kyiv/article_e7f450aa-b426-11ec-bb69-b376361fb434.html
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LVIV, Ukraine — Calls for war-crime investigations and harsher sanctions on Moscow grew Monday as Ukrainian and Western officials responded to discoveries of mass graves and streets littered with the bodies of dead civilians after the Russian retreat from suburbs around Kyiv.
European nations, including Britain, Germany, France and Spain, vowed to punish Russia for alleged atrocities in a war that is now in its 40th day, even as Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, experiences a reprieve. As Russia’s military focus appeared to shift to southern and eastern areas, new strikes were reported overnight, including on the historic Black Sea port of Odesa and the city of Mykolaiv, both in the south. No information was available on deaths or injuries.
In an overnight video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that the most brutal images from newly liberated areas such as Bucha, northwest of Kyiv, were still to come. The Ukrainian government said it had counted 400 civilian deaths in the Kyiv suburbs, including the devastated town of Irpin, since invading Russian troops began departing last week.
“After the expulsion of the occupiers, even worse things could be found there. Even more death and torture,” Zelensky said. “This is the nature of the Russian forces who came onto our land.”
Zelensky has described the scenes in Bucha, where photos and videos show mass graves and dead men and women face down on residential roads, as evidence of Russian “genocide” against Ukrainians. He pledged to set up a special judicial mechanism, with the participation of international prosecutors and judges, to investigate alleged war atrocities.
The horrific scenes have generated international revulsion and demands that Russia be called to account.
“We will do everything to ensure that those who have perpetrated these war crimes do not go unpunished,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Monday, citing “alleged cases of [crimes against] humanity, war crimes and — why not say it, too — genocide.”
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday described the gruesome images as “unbearable.” Macron, who said he supported additional sanctions, said it was “very clear” that Russia committed war crimes.
And a top government official in Germany, a primary importer of Russian gas and one of the strongest holdouts against cutting off such trade, signaled Sunday that it might change course and support a ban. “There has to be a response,” Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said. “Such crimes must not remain unanswered.”
More than half of Germany’s gas comes from Russia. Europe overall receives 40 percent of its gas and 25 percent of oil from Russia.
Speaking at a daily news briefing Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the images out of Bucha were fakes. “We categorically deny any allegations,” Peskov said.
Russia has repeatedly denied targeting civilians in Ukraine. The U.S., United Nations and humanitarian groups have documented otherwise.
Although they were never able to enter central Kyiv, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government said its forces had successfully completed the “first phase” of their war against Ukraine and were shifting east to the industrial region of Donbas and other areas that are home to pro-Russia separatist movements.
Russian troops appeared to have left several towns around the northeastern city of Chernihiv by Monday, according to regional Gov. Viacheslav Chaus.
Chaus, who said that about 70 percent of the city is destroyed, warned remaining residents not to get too comfortable. In a message posted to the Telegram app, he counseled patience as Ukrainian troops cleared mines.
“We must avoid new victims,” he said.
Major aid routes into the city have been cut off for weeks, but Ukrainian news outlet RBK Ukraina reported a positive development: The 92-mile car route between Kyiv and Chernihiv had been partially reopened Monday morning.
Farther east in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, the local prosecutor’s office said Monday that shelling on residential buildings Sunday left seven people dead and 34 injured.
The shifting terrain of war has left western parts of Ukraine in relative peace as local recovery efforts began even as war rages in the south and east.
The British Ministry of Defense warned Monday that Russian fighters were in a “consolidate and reorganize” phase as they planned more offensives in Donbas. The ministry said fighters from Wagner, a Russian paramilitary company, were staging in the area.
At the same time, the Ukrainian military said in a Monday report that a “hidden mobilization” was underway by Russians to regroup amid their pullback from some parts of Ukraine.
“The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation plan to engage around 60,000 people during the mobilization,” the report said.
According to the United Nations, at least 1,417 civilians have been killed since Russia launched the war on Feb. 24. About a quarter of Ukraine’s population of 44 million has been displaced, with more than 4 million fleeing the country.
McDonnell reported from Lviv and Kaleem from London.
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The Alabama Republican Party will select a candidate to replace the late Rep. David Wheeler on this year’s general election ballot. According to state law, it has some time to make a decision.
Alabama code says that in the event of a death or resignation of a candidate, the state executive committee “may fill such a vacancy … not later than 76 days before the election.”
Wheeler, a first-term Republican, died March 9.
Candidate certification for the May 24 primary had already passed at the time of Wheeler’s death. He was the only Republican who qualified to run in House District 47 in Jefferson County.
“We are looking for a strong, qualified Republican who has a heart to serve their community,” ALGOP Chairman John Wahl told Alabama Daily News.
Interested potential candidates can still contact the party, he said.
Wahl said this is an unusual situation and the party takes the responsibility of replacing an elected official and candidate seriously.
“We are going to work hard to look for the right candidate, to listen to the constituents in the district, work with local Republicans and our committee members to find the right candidate to represent District 47,” Wahl said.
State law requires the party to pick a nominee by late August, but Wahl said Republicans won’t wait that long.
“Our goal is to have a candidate chosen by the primary election so they have the same time to campaign for the general election as all other candidates.”
There will be a Democrat on the November ballot. Christian Coleman and Jim Toomey are Democrat candidates on the May 24 primary ballot.
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MONTGOMERY — Alabama lawmakers are planning a rare work week of four legislative days to conclude the 2022 regular session, an ambitious challenge that shows how eager some are to return home in an election year.
Rumors about the four-day week have been swirling around the State House for several days. Appearing on Alabama Public Television's Capitol Journal recently, House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter confirmed that was the plan.
"I think we'll have a four-day week (this) week and clean everything up," Ledbetter said.
A typical legislative week consists of two legislative days on Tuesday and Thursday when lawmakers meet in their chambers to consider bills and a committee day in between on Wednesday. However, this year, the House and Senate most weeks have also convened on Wednesday after committee work was finished in what is known around the State House as a three-day week.
This has made for a fast-paced session, which is a challenge for lawmakers, lobbyists and the media alike. A four-day week would mean the chambers would convene Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, using all four remaining legislative days to end the session.
There are several high profile bills remaining to be dispensed with before the session concludes. The House is expected to ask for a conference committee on the education budget when it convenes Tuesday. Also on the House agenda are bills to delay the hold-back provision of the Alabama Literacy Act, revise tax credits for those donating to scholarship-granting organizations, limiting the percentage of revenue cities can budget from traffic fines and provide for the regulation of telehealth.
The House is scheduled to convene Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. and the Senate at 2:30 p.m.
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Anniston’s favorite bartender, Kristy Farmer, is back at it again, ready to concoct everyone’s favorite cocktails. Her ‘retirement’ — short-lived as it was — gave her an opportunity to rest and reflect. “Every day is a new beginning,” she said. “And The Lush Garden is just the right place for me. It’s small and cozy and I’ll get to see all my friends again!”
Oxford residents Cotina and Courtney Stroud love to travel and experience life in different cultures. Whenever they arrive in a new land, they look for what they call the “cozy spots.” Places with a laid back atmosphere, such as coffee shops or wine bars where they can enjoy a beverage and listen to music.
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LVIV, Ukraine — President Joe Biden called for a war-crimes trial of Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Monday following the discovery of mass graves and streets littered with the bodies of dead civilians after the Russian retreat from suburbs around Kyiv.
“You saw what happened in Bucha,” Biden told reporters, referring to a town near Kyiv where numerous civilians were found dead, some bearing marks of torture or execution. The Ukrainian government said it has counted more than 400 civilian deaths so far in the suburbs of the capital city.
Biden previously branded Putin a “war criminal” in remarks March 17, but at that time the White House said he was speaking personally and not outlining a formal U.S. position. But six days later, the U.S. formally accused Russia of war crimes and said it was collecting evidence to help prove it.
“He is a war criminal,” Biden said of Putin on Monday, describing the longtime Russian leader as “brutal.” “But we have to gather information, we have to continue to provide Ukraine with the weapons they need to continue to fight.”
In a video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that the most brutal images from newly liberated areas such as Bucha were still to come.
“After the expulsion of the occupiers, even worse things could be found there. Even more death and torture,” Zelenskyy said. “This is the nature of the Russian forces who came onto our land.”
Zelenskyy was photographed walking through charred rubble in Bucha on Monday as armed guards surrounded him. The president called on the media to come to the city to “show the world what happened here.”
Zelenskyy has described the scenes in Bucha, where photos and videos show mass graves and dead men and women face down on residential roads, as evidence of Russian “genocide” against Ukrainians.
He pledged to set up a special judicial mechanism, with the participation of international prosecutors and judges, to investigate alleged war atrocities. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted Monday that she had spoken with Zelenskyy about the European Union sending investigators to work with the Ukrainian government to “document war crimes.”
The horrific scenes outside Kyiv have generated calls for heavier sanctions on Moscow over the war, which is now in its 40th day.
“We will do everything to ensure that those who have perpetrated these war crimes do not go unpunished,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Monday, citing “alleged cases of [crimes against] humanity, war crimes and — why not say it, too — genocide.”
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday described the gruesome images as “unbearable.” Macron, who said he supported additional sanctions, said it was “very clear” that Russia committed war crimes.
And a top government official in Germany, a primary importer of Russian gas and one of the strongest holdouts against cutting off such trade, signaled Sunday that it might change course and support a ban. “There has to be a response,” Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said. “Such crimes must not remain unanswered.”
More than half of Germany’s gas comes from Russia. Europe overall receives 40 percent of its gas and 25 percent of its oil from Russia.
Russia has repeatedly denied targeting civilians in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday dismissed the scenes outside Kyiv as a “stage-managed anti-Russian provocation,” saying that Bucha’s mayor had not spoken of atrocities immediately after Russian troops left the area last week.
On Monday, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the U.S. would support a move to suspend Russia’s membership on the U.N. Human Rights Council. Thomas-Greenfield said the “images out of Bucha and devastation across Ukraine require us now to match our words with action.” The Security Council, chaired by Britain, denied Moscow’s request for a meeting on “provocation by Ukrainian radicals” in Bucha.
Although they were never able to enter central Kyiv, Russia said its forces had successfully completed the “first phase” of the war against Ukraine and were shifting east to the industrial region of Donbas and other areas that are home to pro-Russia separatist movements.
Russian troops appeared to have left several towns around the northeastern city of Chernihiv by Monday, according to regional Gov. Viacheslav Chaus.
Chaus, who said that about 70 percentt of the city is destroyed, warned remaining residents not to get too comfortable. In a message posted to the Telegram app, he counseled patience as Ukrainian troops clear mines.
“We must avoid new victims,” he said.
Major aid routes into the city have been cut off for weeks, but Ukrainian news outlet RBK Ukraina reported a positive development: The 92-mile car route between Kyiv and Chernihiv had been partially reopened Monday morning.
Farther east in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, the local prosecutor’s office said Monday that shelling of residential buildings Sunday left seven people dead and 34 injured.
In Mariupol, a battered southern port city that has seen some of the worst publicly documented atrocities of the war, officials have continued to struggle to evacuate residents and send in aid.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said Monday that evacuation buses were scheduled to arrive in Mariupol. But such efforts have repeatedly fallen apart, with Ukraine accusing Russian forces of failing to honor the pledge to allow safe corridors out of Mariupol.
The International Committee of the Red Cross also said Monday that one of its teams, which has tried to reach the city since Friday but ran into conditions that “made it impossible to proceed,” had still not made it in as of Sunday. It was unclear Monday if the group was able to enter the city, where only one-quarter of the prewar population of 430,000 remains.
New strikes were reported overnight on the historic Black Sea port of Odesa and the city of Mykolaiv, both in the south. No information was available on deaths or injuries.
The shifting terrain of war has left western parts of Ukraine in relative peace as local recovery efforts began even as war rages in the south and east.
The British Ministry of Defense warned Monday that Russian fighters were in a “consolidate and reorganize” phase as they planned more offensives in Donbas. The ministry said fighters from Wagner, a Russian paramilitary company, were staging in the area.
At the same time, the Ukrainian military said in a Monday report that a “hidden mobilization” was underway by Russians to regroup amid their pullback from some parts of Ukraine.
“The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation plan to engage around 60,000 people during the mobilization,” the report said.
According to the United Nations, at least 1,417 civilians have been killed since Russia launched the war Feb. 24. About a quarter of Ukraine’s population of 44 million has been displaced, with more than 4 million fleeing the country.
McDonnell reported from Lviv and Kaleem from London.
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As Hong Kong’s outbreak became the deadliest in the world, among the aid Beijing sent to the financial hub were 1 million packets of honeysuckle, rhubarb root, sweet wormwood herb and other natural ingredients, all mixed according to principles of traditional Chinese medicine.
Practitioners of the centuries-old medicinal system argue such herbal combinations can be just as effective as antiviral pills like Pfizer Inc.’s Paxlovid.
“Unlike Western medicine that targets the virus itself, the way TCM works against COVID is to first effect change in the environment of our human body,” said Liu Qingquan, dean of Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. “Once the environment changes, the virus can no longer survive.”
President Xi Jinping wants other countries to give China’s herbal cures a chance. His government is promoting TCM to allies worldwide, sending traditional medicine specialists to Cambodia and supporting clinical trials in Pakistan, both countries that rely heavily on Chinese aid.
Russia in 2020 allowed pharmacies to sell Lianhua Qingwen, one of the most popular types of TCM used to treat COVID-19 patients, and the government of another authoritarian leader, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, agreed last year to establish a center to produce TCM near Minsk.
Making TCM globally acceptable as a treatment option for COVID-19 is an important part of Xi’s strategy to use the pandemic to elevate Chinese innovations and inventions. China has still not approved widely used vaccines from AstraZeneca Plc and Pfizer, instead developing its own vaccines and making them easily available worldwide.
To advance its soft-power goals, China needs locally developed vaccines and treatments, says Michael Shoebridge, director of defense, strategy and national security at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, a think tank in Canberra. “This is part of creating a Sino-centered world,” he says. “It’s a door opener.”
China is struggling to persuade skeptics to put aside doubts about medication that hasn’t gone through the large, standardized clinical trials required by regulators with global credibility like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the European Medicines Agency.
Western medicine explicitly explains how the active ingredients of a drug are processed in the body, but TCM’s proponents face challenges showing how the various components in a concoction work. While studies done in China claim TCM has benefits for COVID-19 patients, critics say there are problems in the way the trials are designed and executed, preventing researchers from reaching unbiased and convincing conclusions.
Even Singapore, with a large ethnic-Chinese population accustomed to traditional medicines, has warned citizens not to take Lianhua Qingwen as a COVID-19 treatment. “To date, there is no scientific evidence from randomised clinical trials to show that any herbal product, including Lianhua Qingwen products, can be used to prevent or treat COVID-19,” Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority said on Nov. 17. “We strongly advise members of the public not to fall prey to unsubstantiated claims or spread unfounded rumours that herbal products can be used to prevent or treat COVID-19.”
The U.S. FDA in 2020 sent at least six warning letters to companies selling Lianhua Qingwen and other TCM-based products purported to be COVID1-9 cures, telling vendors that the products were unapproved and misbranded drugs.
Such warnings ignore the results of a clinical trial published in May 2020, according to Lianhua Qingwen’s producer, Shijiazhuang Yiling Pharmaceutical Co.
“It’s found in the study in terms of clinical use that Lianhua Qingwen proved to be both safe and effective in treating COVID-19 in conjunction with conventional therapy as it could significantly relieve clinical symptoms of COVID-19 such as fever, debilitation, and cough, greatly improve pulmonary lesions, shorten the duration of symptoms, and increase the clinical recovery rate,” the company said in a statement last June.
Lianhua Qingwen products generated revenue of about 4.3 billion yuan ($676 million) in 2020, with year-on-year growth of 150 percent, according to Yiling’s annual report from last April.
Yiling declined to comment on regulatory warnings against claims of TCM’s efficacy against COVID-19 but said the company has never exported Lianhua Qingwen to countries where the drug has yet to get regulatory approval.
Meanwhile, researchers in China have published studies purporting to show the efficacy of herbal treatments and state media frequently quote Xi calling TCM “a treasure of the Chinese nation.” In May 2021, he said the COVID-19 outbreak had helped people gain a deeper understanding of TCM.
TCM promotion is about geopolitics, not science, according to Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at SOAS University of London. “If TCM is proved to be an effective cure, I am sure the whole world will rejoice,” he said. “The problem is that there is no solid evidence that it is.”
A TCM component may not have any effect when used singularly but could work when combined with others, said Danny Wong, chairman of Hong Kong-based Medisun Holdings Ltd., one of the partners promoting the TCM therapy Jinhuaqinggan as a COVID-19 drug outside the mainland. The drug was approved in 2020 for treating COVID-19 after domestic studies claimed it relieved symptoms such as fever, muscle pain and headaches.
“The challenge to explain and unpack the working mechanism of TCM is like trying to figure out what exactly propels an automobile,” said Wong. “Is it the tires or the engine? They all contributed to moving the car forward.”
Given such challenges in establishing TCM’s efficacy, there are limits to what even friendly countries will do to help.
One of China’s closest friends in Europe is Serbia, which in March 2021 reached a deal to manufacture state-owned Sinopharm’s COVID-19 vaccines as well as TCM treatments and services. A year later, though, pharmacies in Belgrade have done little to boost sales of TCM cures and hospitals haven’t added TCM to protocols for COVID-19 patients.
Even China isn’t betting entirely on TCM, approving in February Paxlovid, the first foreign pharmaceutical product for COVID-19 to win acceptance from regulators.
With generic drugmakers worldwide now making inexpensive versions of Pfizer and Merck’s antivirals, interest in China’s herbal cures that pre-date COVID-19 will likely fade, argues University of Liverpool professor of pharmacology and therapeutics Saye Khoo. Early in the pandemic, “we went for the drugs we already had, and we didn’t get a huge amount of antiviral benefit,” he said. Now, “we are not in that era.”
Back in Hong Kong, officials are planning to send herbal remedies to every household. The city recently started receiving significant supplies of antivirals, creating a chance to compare them with TCM, said Dennis Lam, convener of the Hong Kong Alliance of Integrated Medicine Against COVID. “This provides an opportunity for us to make a good randomized controlled trial,” he said, “so maybe we will be able to share more about how good they are.”
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WASHINGTON — A federal judge’s extraordinary assertion last week that former President Donald Trump likely committed felonies connected to the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection marked a milestone for the House committee investigating the attack.
It also underscored the perilous stakes for Trump’s former lawyer, California attorney John Eastman, who has emerged as one of the key figures in the congressional probe.
Eastman was the architect of the legal theory at the root of Trump’s attempt to overturn the presidential election, a plan that U.S. District Judge David O. Carter denounced as obviously illegal.
Carter reached his conclusion relying on evidence in a federal lawsuit Eastman brought to prevent Congress from obtaining his emails and documents. The judge found that Trump and Eastman “more likely than not” conspired to obstruct Congress on Jan. 6.
Such a statement doesn’t mean charges will be filed but puts pressure on the Justice Department to act.
Carter, whose California court district includes Los Angeles, rejected Eastman’s claim that the materials were privileged between attorney and client, ruling Eastman must turn over more than 100 emails to the House committee.
Though the order applies to just a small portion of the emails being sought, it hints at the broader legal exposure that Eastman may face as more is unearthed about his work with Trump.
Already, Eastman has faced substantial fallout from his increasingly public role as Trump’s attorney, including an abrupt resignation from his position at an Orange County law school and an ethics investigation by the California State Bar.
“Judge Carter looked at the evidence that’s available and concluded this was an attempted coup in search of a legal investigation,” said Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of UC Berkeley Law School. “No judge comes to such a conclusion lightly. But everything that we know about what happened supports what Judge Carter said.”
Beyond Trump, Eastman has become perhaps the most significant figure in the committee’s investigation, with House General Counsel Douglas Letter calling Eastman the “central player in the development of a legal strategy to justify a coup.” The spotlight on his role is only expanding.
Eastman did not respond to an interview request made through his attorney.
Less broadly known than others on Trump’s legal team like Rudolph W. Giuliani and Sidney Powell, Eastman has long been a prominent voice in conservative circles.
The constitutional scholar clerked for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas before joining the faculty at Chapman University’s law school, where he taught for 21 years and served a three-year tenure as dean. He also is a longtime leader at the Claremont Institute, a right-wing think tank based in Upland, Calif., and he founded the affiliated law firm, Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence, which represents conservative clients.
Eastman and Trump found common cause in their opposition to birthright citizenship, in which any child born in the country is automatically bestowed with citizenship. Eastman had argued for years against the constitutionality of that principle — a theory largely rejected by legal scholars — and wrote a widely publicized opinion piece in 2020 questioning whether Kamala Harris, as the American-born child of immigrants, qualified to be president. He emerged as an influential legal advisor to Trump during that campaign and right after.
The weekend after the election, Trump aides invited Eastman to help them put together a legal brief to challenge the election results in Pennsylvania. In December, Eastman filed two briefs on behalf of Trump asking the Supreme Court to overturn the election results. The effort quickly failed.
Eastman was part of a Jan. 2 call, reportedly including Trump, in which he briefed 300 GOP lawmakers from several states in a strategy session on decertifying 2020 presidential election results. He testified before the Georgia Legislature Jan. 3, and was reportedly in the Trump legal team’s war room at the Willard InterContinental hotel in Washington, D.C., in the days leading up to Jan. 6.
But the committee is focused on the two legal memos Eastman wrote. They advised Vice President Mike Pence that when Congress met Jan. 6 to certify the electoral college count, he could declare the results in several states in dispute and those electoral votes would go uncounted. Doing so would have turned Trump from the loser to the winner.
Or if Pence wouldn’t take such an extreme step, Eastman provided an alternative. Though the Constitution states Congress must certify the electoral college results on Jan. 6, Eastman proposed Pence delay the certification to give state lawmakers time to select new slates of electors who would vote for Trump.
Trump and Eastman repeatedly pressed Pence and his staff to follow Eastman’s advice in the run-up to Jan. 6. But Pence understood correctly that the Constitution limits the vice president’s role. The vice president presides in Congress on the day when the electoral votes are counted, but has no responsibility beyond opening the envelopes and announcing the state-by-state results.
Pence announced Jan. 6 he would follow the law, not the advice from Eastman.
Yet Eastman continued the pressure even during the riot, while Pence and lawmakers huddled in safe rooms as hundreds of people battled with police and broke windows to enter and ransack the building.
“The ‘siege’ is because YOU and your boss did not do what was necessary to allow this to be aired in a public way so that the American people can see for themselves what happened,” Eastman stated in an email to Pence’s lawyer, submitted as evidence by the House committee in Eastman’s lawsuit.
After the riot ended, Eastman again emailed Pence lawyer Greg Jacob to say that the vice president still should send the election back to the states rather than certifying it, based on what he called a “relatively minor violation” of the procedural law.
The House Select Committee’s focus quickly turned to Eastman. Following a subpoena, Eastman appeared before the committee in December but answered only biographical questions before invoking the 5th Amendment 146 times and refused to provide any documents.
When the committee subpoenaed his former employer Chapman University in January for the documents and emails Eastman sent from his university email address, the school agreed to comply, and Eastman sued.
Eastman told a group of conservative activists in Orange County, Calif., last month that the university let him copy the documents and emails after he resigned in January 2021 following an uproar over his speech at a Jan. 6 rally before the riot. Eastman said he thought the university would delete the documents and emails.
Chapman’s lawyers told the court that as a former dean, Eastman should have been aware of the university policy that it owned any information kept on its server. The university president explicitly said in a December 2020 public statement that Eastman was told not to use his university account to work on Trump legal issues.
Eastman might not have anticipated that the judge would go so far in his statements about potential criminal activity.
The committee has used the lawsuit to release some key evidence it had gathered so far, including excerpts from multiple depositions where witnesses said Trump was repeatedly informed he had lost the election and that his fraud claims were unfounded, but that Trump rejected the facts and continued to mislead his supporters and demand a strategy for overturning the results.
And it was in a filing in Eastman’s case that the committee announced last month it has “good-faith basis for concluding that the President and members of his Campaign engaged in a criminal conspiracy to defraud the United States.”
Criminal charges for the unelected officials or outside aides who help perpetrate a crime could be more palatable for the Justice Department than pursuing what could be seen as politically motivated charges against a president of the party no longer in power. For example, President Nixon never faced criminal charges related to the Watergate burglary and cover-up, but several of his top aides and campaign lawyers served prison time for conspiracy and obstruction of justice.
Meanwhile, Eastman faces a state bar investigation alleging “Eastman may have assisted former President Donald Trump in criminal conduct in connection with the 2020 election and January 6th,” the State Bar’s chief trial counsel, George Cardona, told the committee in December.
Eastman and his supporters have said he was simply fulfilling his duty by seeking all legal options for his client. He’s raised more than $179,000 for his own legal defense through a Christian fundraising site similar to GoFundMe.
In his order, Judge Carter implied Eastman’s actions went beyond that of an attorney, a view echoed by Chemerinsky.
"[T]here are things lawyers can’t do even in the name of zealous representation,” Chemerinsky said, adding that among those are participating in crimes or “attempting coups to overthrow the government.”
Jeremy B. Rosen, a prominent Los Angeles appellate lawyer and member of the conservative legal network, the Federalist Society, said Carter’s ruling confirmed his belief that Eastman and Trump had sought to subvert the law.
But Rosen, who used to be a friend of Eastman, was wary of the growing chorus of those calling for punishment for Eastman.
“Those pushing the loudest for criminal charges and disbarment seem to be doing so to express partisan political purposes designed to help Democrats win the 2022 elections,” he said. “This too troubles me as such decisions should be made by neutral and fair-minded prosecutors free from political interference.”
The House committee clearly isn’t done with Eastman. Revelations in the last month about information the committee possesses have raised new questions about Eastman’s relationships with conservative figureheads such as Ginni Thomas, the wife of his former boss Justice Clarence Thomas, and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, a longtime friend and one of the senators who agreed to challenge the electoral votes of certain key states, and how Eastman may have attempted to leverage those relationships for Trump’s benefit.
Carter’s order to produce documents applies to just the 111 emails sent between Jan. 4 and Jan. 7 that the committee asked him to prioritize. It is unclear how many of the more than 19,000 emails and documents Chapman identified as falling under the committee’s subpoena might be handed over. Eastman is still reviewing 1,000 to 1,500 documents a day to determine which ones he will try to assert attorney-client privilege over. His attorney predicted that Eastman could finish around April 21. Then, the court will have to decide what to release.
Because Eastman pleaded the 5th Amendment at his committee deposition, rather than refusing to show up at all, a contempt of Congress charge is unlikely, but not impossible. In that deposition, Eastman was asked about whether he has a Gmail account.
It is unclear if the committee will pursue those emails as well.
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A quarter of doctors who participated in a February survey said they plan to leave their primary care jobs within the next three years because of stress over COVID-19, according to researchers.
The survey, conducted by The Larry A. Green Center, a Virgina-based medical research organization, showed that primary care physicians’ stress levels improved as vaccines became widely available in the U.S. last summer, but declined again to pre-vaccine levels when the delta variant of the coronavirus sparked waves of new outbreaks across the country.
As of February, only a fifth of the medical facilities where survey respondents worked were fully staffed and 44 percent had open clinician positions they could not fill, according to the survey.
Rebecca Etz, co-director of the Green Center, told the JAMA Network, an online medical journal, that some clinicians surveyed reported experiencing suicidal ideation, panic attacks in their sleep and the need to pull their cars over on the way home from work to vomit due to stress brought on by the pandemic.
“Our survey showed, going as far as 6 months into the pandemic, half the [clinicians] still didn’t have PPE,” Etz told JAMA Network. “People were wearing coffee filters and garbage bags to take care of their patients.”
As part of the survey, primary care doctors were asked about the state of their mental and physical health.
“I am emotionally traumatized and experiencing severe burnout,” one doctor said, according to JAMA.
“I cannot continue to work at this pace and retire at 65. I am 50. I am chronically exhausted. There is no relief in sight,” another clinician said.
According to survey results, 62 percent of 847 clinicians surveyed had personal knowledge of other primary care clinicians who retired early or quit during the coronavirus pandemic and 29 percent knew of practices that had closed.
Some doctors reported that their hospitals were severely understaffed as COVID-19 patients flooded through their doors, while others said they had too little work during the pandemic, according to JAMA. At the beginning of the pandemic and during subsequent COVID-19 surges, patients had to postpone or forgo regular medical appointments due to restrictions on in-person care, causing many clinics to suffer financially.
Today, as the pandemic enters its third year, understaffing is the biggest problem facing medical practices across the country, researchers say.
“Workforce in health care is an issue of national significance and is reaching a crisis in many parts of the country,” Akin Demehin, director of policy at the American Hospital Association trade group, told the PEW Research Center. “Leading up to the pandemic there were already significant workforce challenges. The pandemic has amplified them, stemming from fatigue after wave after successive waves of patients.”
In November, when a record 4.5 million Americans quit their jobs, the health care and social assistance industry saw the second-highest increase in the rate of people quitting compared with other industries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
A major contributing factor to the mass exodus of doctors is the high rate of depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance and post-traumatic stress disorder among frontline medical workers, Dr. Lotte Dyrbye, chief wellbeing officer for the University of Colorado School of Medicine told JAMA.
According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, 38 percent of health care workers surveyed reported experiencing anxiety and depression during 2020. And a 2021 survey by the Physicians Foundation found that 20 percent of physicians knew of a doctor who had considered, attempted or died by suicide during the pandemic.
One way to combat physician burnout is for medical practices to do more to retain hospital staff, who help alleviate some of the pressure on doctors by completing non-medical tasks, Dr. Mark Linzer, a professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota told JAMA.
“The ‘great resignation’ is affecting a lot of our staff, who don’t feel necessarily cared for by their organizations,” Linzer told the journal. “The staff are leaving, which leaves the physicians to do more non-physician work. So really, in order to solve this, we need to pay attention to all of our health care workers.”
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The guilt of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter was never really in question. His fate is.
Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer will join prosecutors and defense lawyers Monday to start the process of picking jurors to decide that fate, answering the biggest remaining question about the tragedy: Will confessed murderer Nikolas Cruz be sentenced to life in prison or death?
Twelve jurors will be tasked with making that decision. Finding them could take two months or more.
A thousand potential jurors have been summoned to the Broward courthouse Monday. Scherer will call 60 at a time into the largest courtroom in the building for a round of questions. The same thing will happen Tuesday and Wednesday.
Massive pre-trial publicity, intense public scrutiny, and the highest possible stakes promise to take a toll on any plan for a speedy process.
A dozen jurors are needed, but up to 20 will be chosen, Scherer said. The extra jurors give the court the ability to continue with proceedings if a member of the jury gets sick or has to leave for any reason.
Monday will only kick off the first day of what officials dub “pre-selection,” a screening process designed to weed out those who certainly cannot serve. They include people who cannot afford to miss out on their jobs or family commitments, people who’ve consumed so much media coverage that they admit they have already made up their minds, and people with obvious conflicts of interest, such as friends of the 17 slain and 17 surviving victims of the mass shooting at the Parkland high school.
This won’t be the first time Cruz has come face to face with potential jurors. Before he pleaded guilty, the pre-selection process was underway for his trial on charges of assaulting a courthouse deputy. Several potential jurors burst into tears the moment they saw Cruz seated at the defense table.
Typically, fewer than half of summoned jurors show up to do their civic duty. Earlier this week, Scherer expressed hope to get through 240 of them each day, eliminating most from consideration. Attorneys told Scherer it was optimistic to expect to get through that many potential jurors.
The pre-selection process will run for three days a week through the end of May, with a break April 14-24.
Jurors who make it through the first phase can be expected to be sent home and told to wait, avoiding all media coverage of the case. They will return when the second phase starts, and that won’t happen until Scherer is confident the pool is large enough to pick 20 to hear the evidence.
The second phase is a more intensive round of questioning, examining jurors on everything from their personal connections to the criminal justice system to their feelings about the morality of the death penalty and their ability to put personal feelings aside to follow the law.
In ordinary cases, the pace of jury selection quickens during the second round. Prosecutors and defense lawyers argue with the judge over whether particular jurors should be excused. If the judge doesn’t agree to dismiss a potential juror, each side has the right to remove at least 10 jurors unilaterally.
For the defense, the goal is to find at least one juror who can look at the evidence and still vote for a sentence of life in prison. Under Florida law, a jury’s recommendation for death has to be unanimous.
“You have a lot of people who are philosophically opposed to the death penalty,” said defense lawyer Bruce Raticoff, who is not associated with the Cruz case. “They will be excluded, as will people who are too enthusiastic about imposing the death penalty. What you’re looking for as a defense attorney is people who are humanitarians, people who value human life and who don’t believe in an eye for an eye.”
It’s likely, according to the timetable discussed in court, that jurors who show up this week won’t find out they are on the final panel until sometime in May.
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As Kamala Harris made history in her speech accepting the vice presidential nomination in 2020, she broke into a broad grin as she invoked the name of her hero: Constance Baker Motley, the first Black woman to serve as a federal judge.
Eighteen months later, Motley's memory was summoned again, this time by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson upon her nomination to the Supreme Court.
The parallels are hardly coincidental. Motley, a path-breaking lawyer and jurist, is a natural inspiration to be shared by Harris, a former prosecutor who became the first Black and South Asian woman to be vice president and Brown, who is poised to be the first Black female justice of the nation's highest court. The ascension of both to their historic posts is a reflection of the outsize and enduring influence of Motley and a handful of fellow civil rights lawyers like Thurgood Marshall and Charles Hamilton Houston.
"When you see them, you see the generation of Black lawyers before them, many of them who have largely gone unheralded," said Nicole Holley-Walker, dean of the Howard University School of Law. As members of the first generation to follow the civil rights movement, she said, "we all had very common role models because there were not very many people before us."
The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on Jackson's confirmation on Monday and will likely deadlock, although Democrats will still be able to advance her nomination to the full Senate for final approval.
The lawyers most often cited by Jackson, 50, and Harris, 57, were all involved with the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education case, in which the Supreme Court struck down the doctrine of "separate but equal" in public schools. Marshall, the lead lawyer, later became the first Black Supreme Court justice. Houston was Marshall's mentor and key architect of the strategy to chip away at legalized segregation in the run-up to Brown. Motley, a protege of Marshall's, was the first Black woman to argue before the Court and was appointed to the federal judiciary in 1966.
The frequent mentions of these legal icons have served Harris and Jackson in multiple ways. Both women point to their role models to explain their own motivations for public service and how they approach their current jobs. The call-outs offer learning opportunities for audiences that don't know these lawyers, and serve as a kind of shorthand for those that do.
For Jackson, Motley's legacy has been a recurring motif in the nomination process. In her first speech as President Biden's nominee, she took pains to note that she was born 49 years to the day after Motley. She discovered that fact in law school when, she later said, "secretly at that point, I was thinking maybe I might want to be a judge."
Motley's name came up a dozen times in the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings, evoked by Jackson and friendly Democratic senators.
Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal, eager to tout that Motley was a daughter of his home state of Connecticut, remarked, "She was very predominantly responsible for Brown versus Board of Education. Thurgood Marshall got most of the credit, but she did a lot of the work. Probably sounds familiar to you."
Motley is indeed less well-known than other civil rights figures, but for the women of Jackson's generation, she was a star.
"I believe every little Black girl who wants to be a lawyer knew about Constance Baker Motley," said Njeri Mathis Rutledge, who was friends with Jackson when they were undergraduates at Harvard University and now teaches law at the South Texas College of Law. "I vividly remember looking up to and admiring her, and feeling like if she could do it, I could do it."
Even when Motley and her cohort were not mentioned by name, their legacy loomed large in the hearings, including in some of the more antagonistic moments. Republicans used Jackson's history as a public defender to insinuate she was soft on crime, a charge also levied against Marshall, the last justice to have had substantial experience representing criminal defendants.
And 55 years after Mississippi Sen. James Eastland bluntly asked Marshall, "Are you prejudiced against white people in the South?" Jackson faced similarly provocative questions on race — most notoriously, from Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, about an anti-racist children's book, "Do you agree with this book that is being taught with kids that the babies are racist?"
When Jackson was repeatedly pressed to describe her judicial philosophy, observers detected the influence of her civil rights predecessors in her answer.
"When she explains how she views the law, it's very much in this tradition of understanding the tools the law gives you, understanding the facts of the case ... coming from a neutral position," said Holley-Walker, adding that Jackson's emphasis on the legal fundamentals recalls the Brown vs. Board lawyers who were "serious technicians in the law."
Harris, meanwhile, refers to her idols as a set of three, repeating it so often it is almost like a mantra: Thurgood Marshall, Charles Hamilton Houston, Constance Baker Motley. They were mentioned in both of her memoirs, and in countless campaign speeches, as her inspiration for studying law.
"It tells me she knows her history — the history of the civil rights movement," said Tomiko Brown-Nagin, a Harvard Law professor and author of "Civil Rights Queen," a newly released biography of Motley.
Harris has shown particular reverence for Marshall; she was sworn in as vice president on a Bible that once belonged to him, and displays a bust of the late justice in her ceremonial office.
But generally she speaks of the trio of attorneys who were the "heroes of my youth," Harris told the Detroit chapter of the NAACP in a 2019 speech. "Those individuals who had the skill to translate the passion from the streets to the courtrooms of our country."
She casts that admiration as an essential through-line of her biography, especially after she arrived as an undergraduate at Howard University, the historically Black institution where Houston once led the law school and Marshall was a most revered alumnus.
"They were talked about constantly in terms of the legacy of Howard," said Lita Rosario, a classmate who recruited Harris to join the university debate team. "The symbolism of someone like Thurgood Marshall [was] this is who you can be if you stay. ... It's a journey of excellence and you have to live up to that standard."
The environment was starkly different when Harris moved on to law school in San Francisco at UC Hastings, which at the time had the reputation of an elite old boys club, and minority law students often faced alienation.
"All of us felt that level of culture shock," said Diane Matsuda, a law school friend of Harris who is now an attorney in San Francisco. "It was the first time I really felt that racism."
Shauna Marshall, who taught Maya Harris, the vice president's younger sibling, at Stanford Law, said the transition was likely especially abrupt for Harris.
"Hailing from Howard, you're instilled with a sense of you belong everywhere," said Marshall, who later worked on a pilot anti-recidivism program with Harris, then the San Francisco district attorney. "I am sure those role models and luminaries were really instrumental in [Harris] maintaining her eyes on the prize."
Their influence on her carried over to her early years as a front-line prosecutor, said Darryl Stallworth, who worked with Harris as newly-minted lawyers in the Alameda County District Attorney's office.
"We had a number of conversations when we were talking about the legacy and the responsibility of passing the torch — the opportunities we had based on everything our ancestors had done," said Stallworth, now a criminal defense lawyer in Oakland. He said they shared a belief that the best way to change the criminal justice system was to reform it from the inside.
Harris has often cited those attorneys as part of her decision to become a prosecutor — a move that she said was met with skepticism from her family. None of the three lawyers she often references were prosecutors themselves, but Brown-Nagin said Harris likely got inspiration from their work exposing abuses in the criminal justice system.
Her law enforcement experience later caused friction with some Democratic primary voters, and Harris at times seemed unsure of how to talk about it. She relied on the references to those civil rights figures as a rhetorical device, especially for Black audiences.
"There's a way in which you have to telegraph that 'Yes, I am in this position of power. Yes, I have to sometimes make hard trade-offs. But my North Star is still the North Star of my people,'" said Marshall, who is now a law professor at UC Hastings. "That is a great way of conveying it by just naming those people."
Harris would deliberately name-check the lawyers in front of largely white audiences as well.
"She was trying to lift them out of obscurity a little bit," said Sean Clegg, a former senior advisor. "A lot of times — always with curiosity and support — a lot of white people found themselves Googling those names. That's positive. That's a good thing."
After decades of drawing on the legacy of Black legal trailblazers, Harris is now part of the administration that is set to add a new name to that list of "firsts." Jackson is expected to be confirmed with votes from the entire Democratic caucus and at least one Republican, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine. The final vote in the Senate holds the possibility of a moment rich in symbolic symmetry: the first Black female vice president presiding as the first Black woman is confirmed to the Supreme Court.
"There's people like Charles Hamilton Houston and Thurgood Marshall that we've looked up to all these years. And now it's our turn," said Rosario, Harris' Howard classmate who is now an entertainment lawyer in Washington.
"Kamala is standing in those shoes," she added. "Judge Jackson is standing in those shoes."
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_daily_home/dh_news/fire-off-shocco-springs-road-damages-about-20-acres/article_481c979a-b435-11ec-af9e-eb7473d36f89.html
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Talladega Firefighters and the Alabama Forestry Service battled a fire off Shocco Springs Road earlier this week that ended up damaging about 20 acres.
According to Chief Danny Warwick, the fire seems to have started with the high winds that blew through the area Tuesday night, which knocked down a power pole and started the fire.
Warwick said the fire was contained in just a few hours, and the rain that came through later helped put it out altogether.
The Talladega Police Department and Talladega Public Works also assisted in getting the fire under control and out, he said.
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SYLACAUGA — Tim James, who is seeking the republican nomination for governor for the third time, took a tour of various business and industry sites in Sylacauga on Friday before heading to a meet and greet that evening at Harvey’s on Noble.
“I love coming here, I love Talladega County,” he said. “I’m from Lee County myself, but I understand in my own weird way. There’s a lot of good, industrious people here, and there are a lot of fun people and personalities. I got to visit a trucking company, and I always stop to see the police and fire departments.
"We’re talking about the blue, and what they get up and do every day, they deserve respect. And they’re paid very little, which is crazy. I’d like to help in that regard. I went to Blue Bell and got to see how they make ice cream, and then I got to eat some of it. They wouldn’t even take my dollar, so I guess they’ll want a favor down the road. And I got to see how they make controlled release fertilizer, which I had always heard about but never knew how they did it. It was a fun day.”
James is seeking the GOP nomination in a crowded field in a state where the GOP already has a lock on power in all branches of government. He tells a story from his days playing football at Auburn to partially explain.
“Doug Barfield signed me in 1980," he said. "But then they got rid of him and Pat Dye came in. At that point, I think Alabama had beaten us eight or nine times in a row. At that time, all the athletes lived in Sewell Hall, and we were treated like kings, we got the best of everything.
"It was a Sunday night, and it was stormy, and we were all in a long, narrow room for a study hall. Then Wayne Hall and Pat Dye come in. Pat walks in, 42 years old, tough, he doesn’t say a word. But the quieter he was the quieter the room got. I don’t know if it was two minutes, or five minutes or seven minutes.
"But then he spoke slow, and he said, ‘I’m Pat Dye; I’m your new coach. I’m going to teach you to become men. I’m going to teach you character. I’m going to teach you to play the game. I’m going to demand that you get an education. I’m going to teach you not to be fearful.’ Then he walked out. The culture changed right then and there.
"I didn’t think about that much for 20 years, but it made a difference to me, even though I came from a different background than probably 98 percent of the other students in that room. It made an impression. And that’s what governors do.”
Plus, he said, he has not been happy with some of the positions taken by his own party recently.
“The state republican leadership, including Gov. Ivey, sees some things differently than I do. Like for instance a 55 percent increase in the gas tax. I have never heard of a tax increase that large all at one time. If the state income tax was raised that much, that would be from 5 percent to 7 percent, all at once, you’d have a revolution. And medical marijuana is just a bait and switch. It’s a way to set up a street level distribution system for marijuana, and it will pave the way for recreational use. And there’s been an onslaught for 10 casinos in the state, and the governor and the leadership has just sat by. They sat by while citizens and workers were forced to be masked or be fired from UAB. That’s not the sort of republican I am. I’m not pro gambling and marijuana and taxes and mandates, especially not when we’re dead last in K-12 education.”
Education is a big plank in his platform this time. “When Bob Riley was governor, Alabama was 39th in reading and was 27th in math in 2005-2006. In a decade plus, how do you go to basically 50th from there? Ivey has been lieutenant governor or governor since 2010, and our education system is failing beyond imagination. We have to stop and tackle the problem or continue the slide. It won’t be easy, but we can’t be dead last. It’s humiliating.”
Part of the problem, as he sees it, is bureaucracy. “The mission of structures in government is to survive and flourish. AEA is a good example that. To be fair, Alabama Power is too. There are good things and bad things.But educators have had their way for too long without resistance. Teachers can’t teach with disruptive students in their classes, and they end up just being babysitters, even in wealthy, suburban school districts.”
“We need to dismantle what we’ve got now and rebuild the system front he ground up,” he said.Part of that will be school choice, which he has long favored, although he admits “In 2010, it was not the right time. But the time is now, because we’ve got nowhere to go but up.” Essentially, school choice allows parents of children in failing schools to be given either tax credits or vouchers for tuition at other public schools, private schools or charter schools that accept voucher students or home school programs. “You create competition, and you put leadership under pressure, almost like a pressure cooker. I’m not interested in being part of the system, and I’m not looking for buddies. What I’m looking at is the children…It’s a battle, but it can be won. But people have to understand what we’re trying to do, and someone will have to sell it to them. And I think only the governor can do that.”
He believes he can accomplish all this in one year, and see clear results in two or three years.
“I’m not kidding around,” he said. “I’m past wanting to be governor just to be governor. On day 1, I’ll start a full court press all around education. I’ll have a few months to sell people on the James Reconstruction Plan. If I want to get the people behind me, they’ve got to hear it. Maybe some legislators will see a fresh, new governor and say okay, we’ll give him a shot. I thnk you’ll see a turn around in test scores right away.”
Part of that turn around will involve “bringing in the best principals and put them in failing schools, with their pay based on performance. And I’m not talking about comparing Selma High School to Mountain Brook, I’m talking about comparing Selma High to Selma High, year after year.”
He added “We need to make young people believe they can perform. And we need to remove the crutches of life. As governor, I would wisely spend the money for education, and give the republic a return on their investment. And only the governor can do that.”
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_st_clair_times/stclair_news/alea-announces-investigation-into-remains-of-florida-woman-found-in-springville/article_46f3c9a2-b434-11ec-994c-6b690a1a179e.html
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The State Bureau of investigations has announced it is investigating the disappearance of a missing Florida woman after her remains were found in Springville on Saturday.
In a news release, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said the SBI obtained and executed a search warrant at a Springville residence at the request of the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office.
According to St. Clair County Coroner Dennis Russell, Cassie Carli, who was reported missing from Navarre Beach, was discovered in a shallow grave inside a barn on that property off Highway 11. The ALEA said the a residence that had been occupied by Marcus Spanevelo, Carli’s ex-boyfriend who was arrested In Tennessee last week. He is charged with tampering with evidence in connection with the investigation into Carli’s disappearance according to reports from WFLA in Florida.
Russell said that the cause of death has not yet been determined. The body has been sent to the Alabama Department of Forensics in Huntsville for autopsy, results are expected early this week.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson said the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office and Springville Police Department were assisting in the search. The body was eventually identified by a tattoo.
The sheriff said Spanvelo met with Carli for the custody exchange of their 4-year-old daughter.
ALEA said nothing further is available as the investigation is ongoing. Once complete, findings will be turned over to the St. Clair District Attorney’s Office.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/news/coronavirus/xe-covid-variant-new-highly-transmissible-variant-is-combo-of-ba-1-and-ba-2/article_fc7c3326-b435-11ec-8200-6348ea03cb2d.html
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Even as the omicron subvariant BA.2 becomes the dominant COVID strain in the U.S., health officials are warning of the next variant that could possibly be even more contagious.
The variant, XE, is compromised of genetic material from two other strains — BA.1, the original omicron strain, and BA.2, or “stealth” omicron, a name given for its ability to evade certain types of tests, NBC Chicago reported. It’s referred to as a “recombinant strain,” meaning it is made up of two previously distinct variant.
Preliminary reports from the World Health Organization indicate XE is 10 percent more transmissible than BA.2, though those findings are still being investigated.
As of February, only a fifth of the medical facilities where survey respondents worked were fully staffed.
The variant was first detected in the United Kingdom in January. Since then, some 600 cases of XE have been reported.
WHO said it is monitoring the variant and will offer updates as more data becomes available.
BA.2 is now being blamed for more than half of all COVID infections in the U.S. The hardest-hit area is the Northeast where it is blamed for more than 70 percent of all cases.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/news/local/severe-storms-possible-tuesday-wednesday/article_7bef6b1e-b440-11ec-9052-173d3b717cec.html
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The National Weather Service Birmingham is forecasting the potential for severe storms in the area beginning Tuesday morning and exiting later that night, making way for another potential more severe round of storms on Wednesday.
Although no warnings or advisories had been issued as of noon Monday, the NWS forecast suggests the current trajectory of fronts and atmospheric conditions could lead to a slight risk on Tuesday and an enhanced risk on Wednesday.
ABC 33/40 Meteorologist James Spann addressed the forecast as “complicated” in his Monday morning social media posting.
“Having events like this is very common this time of year,” Spann said.
“We could certainly see a good bit of rain over the next few days with rain amounts for much of the state ranging from one to three inches,” he said.
Spann said there is a “high confidence” of a mass of storms Tuesday beginning at 9 a.m.
“There is just no instability for the northern half of the state as the storms move in,” he said. “You really need that for severe weather. In the terms of damaging winds and tornadoes, it’s going to be hard for that to happen in the northern half of the state with this batch of morning storms.”
Spann said the air will become more unstable statewide later Tuesday afternoon “and we might see a few storms try to fire up.”
“If those storms do form, they could be strong to severe with a chance of hail, strong winds and an isolated tornado,” he said. “But, that’s a big ‘if.’”
Spann said the air becomes unstable statewide Wednesday with a cold front entering the area causing the main threats that day and evening to be from large hail and strong straight-line winds.
“The tornado threat is awfully low Wednesday because of the wind profiles,” he explained. “You need the winds to change direction with altitude and they look unidirectional Wednesday afternoon and evening.”
“Just be weather aware,” Spann said. “It’s a fairly complex, messy, conditional threat,” Spann said.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/news/nation_world/senate-judiciary-committee-to-vote-on-ketanji-brown-jackson-s-supreme-court-nomination/article_293c186c-b43c-11ec-8c5e-9346602f8ed2.html
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A divided Senate Judiciary Committee was set Monday to vote on the historic Supreme Court nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as Democrats seek to seal her confirmation by the end of the week.
The panel kicks off with a vote on whether to move ahead with Jackson’s bid to become the first Black woman justice in the court’s 233-year history.
Even if all Republicans on the committee vote against Jackson as expected, Democrats can still move the nomination to the entire Senate floor.
Why Ketanji Brown Jackson and Kamala Harris idolize civil rights lawyers like Constance Baker Motley
Constance Baker Motley, a path-breaking lawyer and jurist, is a natural inspiration to be shared by Kamala Harris and Ketanji Brown.
Democrats will then seek to push the nomination through the evenly divided Senate by the end of the week with a final vote insight for President Biden’s trailblazing pick to replace her mentor, retiring Justice Stephen Breyer.
Jackson only needs the votes of all 50 Democrats to win confirmation because Vice President Kamala Harris can cast a tie-breaking vote.
She has also already won the support of at least one GOP lawmaker, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, meaning her confirmation is all but inevitable.
Two other Republicans, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, are still undecided.
One moderate Democrat, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., has not publicly announced her stand but is expected to support Jackson.
Jackson stands on the brink of making history as the third Black justice and only the sixth woman to sit on the high court. Democrats cheer her deep experience in her nine years on the federal bench and the chance for her to become the first former public defender on the court.
Despite Jackson’s solid and extensive legal experience, some right-wing Republicans turned her confirmation hearing into an ugly partisan fight over issues, including her supposedly lenient sentences for child molesters and her defense of terror suspects held at Guantanamo Bay.
Even though the committee vote won’t derail Jackson’s bid, the potential tie vote signifies how divisive nominations for the court have become.
The committee hasn’t deadlocked on a nomination since 1991, when a motion to send the nomination of current Justice Clarence Thomas to the floor with a “favorable” recommendation failed on a 7-7 vote amid sexual harassment allegations.
Either way, Democrats are ready to spend time on the discharge Monday afternoon, if necessary. The Senate would then move to a series of procedural steps before a final confirmation vote later in the week.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/news/nation_world/suspects-at-large-after-mass-shooting-killed-6-injured-12-in-sacramento/article_06842890-b43d-11ec-8fa0-033ae2a9e4fb.html
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Officers cleared crime tape and evidence markers early Monday morning in downtown Sacramento, reopening streets in the area of 10th and K streets a little more than 24 hours after the deadliest mass shooting in the history of California’s capital city.
No suspects are in custody after at least 18 people were struck by gunfire shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday, as crowds of people were leaving bars and nightclubs around closing time, the Sacramento Police Department said Sunday.
Six died at the scene — three men and three women, Police Chief Kathy Lester said. Twelve others others were transported or self-transported to hospitals with “varying” degrees of injuries. It was not known how many of those injuries may be serious or life-threatening.
Authorities confirmed there were multiple shooters, Lester said in a Sunday afternoon news conference at the Police Department headquarters, and a stolen handgun was recovered from the scene.
Dead bodies stayed on the streets, covered, for more than 18 hours. Coroner’s officials removed at least three of them at about 8:30 p.m.
Lester said the bodies remained at the scene for so long in order to maintain the integrity of a sprawling, complex crime scene for an incident in which multiple suspects are still at large.
The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office on Sunday evening officially released the identity of one victim: Sergio Harris, 38, of North Highlands; the remaining five victims have not been named pending notification of family. A father interviewed by The Sacramento Bee on Sunday said De’Vazia Turner, 29, was another person killed.
Many details surrounding the shooting remain unknown, including whether the shooters fired indiscriminately or were targeting certain people or groups; exactly how many shooters opened fire; and what types of firearms may have been used. No suspect descriptions have been released.
Relatives of Harris and Turner said the men had been at a nightclub called London, which is located at the coroner of 10th and J streets.
London in a statement posted to social media said it “enforces strict security protocols and begins closing procedures at 1:30 a.m.” and said it continues to cooperate with the police investigation.
Police Department spokesman Sgt. Zach Eaton said police believe there were “at least two shooters” involved, but did not know if any shots were fired inside any bars or nightclubs in the area.
Two of four shooting victims who were hospitalized at UC Davis Medical Center have been released.
A spokeswoman for the health system said Monday that two of the victims were discharged and two patients remain, but their conditions were not disclosed.
Several patients were transported to area hospitals, including UC Davis and Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento, while some patients self-transported to Sutter Medical Center and others.
Lester said a city surveillance camera captured a portion of the incident. That footage has not been made publicly available as of Monday morning.
Bystander cellphone video also surfaced online, some of which has been forwarded to authorities.
One of those videos, which the Police Department acknowledged it had received, showed a fight taking place outside a bar at 10th and K streets shortly before a stream of gunfire could be heard. The people fighting in the video began to scatter and run away as shots continued, including a trill of what sounded like an automatic weapon.
After Mayor Darrell Steinberg spoke out against assault weapons and homemade “ghost guns,” and called for increasing outreach and support for city youth, Lester clarified that police have not confirmed whether the incident involved ghost guns, nor whether it involved any juvenile suspects.
The Bee’s Jason Anderson, Benjy Egel, Ryan Lillis, Dale Kasler and Sam Stanton contributed to this story.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/news/oxford/preparations-for-new-oxford-retail-space-underway/article_6b9593a2-b43f-11ec-8ec5-0b642a71023f.html
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The demolition of the former Shoney’s restaurant in Oxford is underway as part of the first step in the development of a new retail space.
The Oxford City Council approved an economic development agreement in January with three limited corporation developers to aid in site preparation for a new retail development at the I-20 exit 185 area. The development is expected to add several jobs to the local economy and $20 million in tax revenues.
The agreement, with developers TC-MAC LLC; I20 Exit 185, LLC; and SP, LLC; calls for the city to reimburse the developers $450,000 “as the city’s contribution to the demolition of the Shoney’s Restaurant, O’Charley’s, Ryan’s Restaurant and hotel improvements on the project site.”
The agreement requires the developers to present three executed letters of intent from retail entities agreeing to locate on the project site within one year after the demolition is certified to be completed.
The businesses that will locate on the site are limited to retail only and any business locating on the site must be approved by the city.
Service industries such as banks, motels and nail salons are precluded from locating on the site.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/news/state/grammys-2022-alabama-s-abigail-barlow-wins-for-unofficial-bridgerton-musical/article_8714c942-b438-11ec-be65-bb2b02d186eb.html
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The first Grammy Award announced on Sunday went to an artist with Alabama ties — not to mention a newbie who bested a field of heavy hitters in the music industry.
Abigail Barlow — a singer, composer and TikTok star who grew up in Birmingham — won the 2022 Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album, for “The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical,” with Emily Bear.
Barlow, 23, and Bear, 20, were competing against albums created by some illustrious names: “Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella”; “Burt Bacharach and Steven Sater’s Some Lovers”; “Girl From The North Country,” a Bob Dylan musical; “Les Misérables: The Staged Concert (The Sensational 2020 Live Recording)”; and “Stephen Schwartz’s Snapshots.”
Also, the two women are the first to receive an award from the Recording Academy for a project that originated on TikTok.
“The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical” got its start during the coronavirus pandemic, when Barlow had a thought: What if “Bridgerton” was a musical? She began to write songs based on the popular Netflix series, posting clips on TikTok in early 2021.
Her videos went viral, and Barlow, an alum of Birmingham’s Red Mountain Theatre who lives in Los Angeles, teamed with Emily Bear for more “Bridgerton” songs. The duo, known as Barlow & Bear, released “The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical” in September via Amazon Music. Bear is the producer of the album; she and Barlow are the composer-lyricists and artists.
“A year ago when I asked the internet, ‘What if ‘Bridgerton’ was a musical?’ I could not have imagined we would be holding a Grammy in our hands,” Barlow said during her acceptance speech at the Grammys Premiere Ceremony on Sunday afternoon. “We want to thank everyone on the internet who has watched us create this album from the ground up, we share this with you. ... I want to thank my family ... Thank you for not telling me to shut up when I sang around the house.”
About 75 awards were handed out during the Sunday afternoon Premiere Ceremony, which served as a prelude to the 64th Annual Grammys Awards broadcast at 7 p.m. CT on CBS.
Several other winners with ties to Alabama were announced at the Premiere Ceremony:
— Pianist and composer Danaë Xanthe Vlasse, a 2003 graduate of the University of Alabama in Huntsville, won the award for Best Classical Solo Album, for “Mythologies,” with vocalists Sangeeta Kaur and Hila Plitmann. This Grammy goes to the singer(s) and collaborative artists, such as pianists, conductors, chamber groups, producers and recording engineers/mixers. The full list of collaborators includes Virginie D’Avezac De Castera, Lili Haydn, Wouter Kellerman, Nadeem Majdalany, Eru Matsumoto and Emilio D. Miler, according to the Grammys website.
— Actor Don Cheadle won the award for Best Spoken Word Album, for “Carry On: Reflections for a New Generation From John Lewis.” Lewis, a Troy native and civil rights pioneer, died in 2020 at age 80. A 2021 book, “Carry On: Reflections for a New Generation,” gathers his final thoughts and reflections on topics such as “justice, courage, faith, mentorship and forgiveness,” according to Grand Central Publishing. Cheadle is the narrator for the audio version of the book.
— Cedric Burnside, a Mississippi bluesman, took the trophy for Best Traditional Blues Album, for “I Be Trying.” Burnside’s album was released by Single Lock Records, a label based in Florence. Reed Watson, a Tuscaloosa native, serves as the drummer for several tracks on the album. Watson’s also a managing partner at Single Lock Records.
— The songwriting team behind “Cold,” a single by Chris Stapleton, won the trophy for Best Country Song, a writer’s award. Winners were Dave Cobb, J.T. Cure, Derek Mixon and Stapleton. “Cold” was primarily recorded in Alabama, at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Sheffield.
— Stewart Copeland, a drummer who made his fame with the Police, won the Grammy for Best New Age Album with Ricky Kaj, for “Divine Tides.” Copeland was born in Virginia, but one side of his family has strong Alabama roots. Copeland’s father, Miles Copeland Jr., was a Birmingham native who became a jazz musician, CIA agent and author.
— Andra Day and two key collaborators (producer Salaam Remi and music supervisor Lynn Fainchtein) won the Grammy for “The United States Vs. Billie Holiday,” in the category of Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media. Sebastian Kole, a Birmingham native, sang with Charlie Wilson on one track for the album, “The Devil & I Got up to Dance a Slow Dance.”
Several nominees with Alabama ties did not win in their Grammy categories Sunday afternoon. Here’s the breakdown:
— Jason Isbell was nominated for Best Country Solo Performance, for “All I Do Is Drive.” The award went to Chris Stapleton for “You Should Probably Leave.”
Isbell, from Green Hill, covered the Johnny Cash song for the soundtrack to “The Ice Road,” a Netflix film. The singer-songwriter and guitarist already has four Grammys to his credit, including two trophies in 2019.
— Walker Hayes was nominated for Best Country Song, a writing award, for “Fancy Like.” The award went to Chris Stapleton’s “Cold,” written by Dave Cobb, J.T. Cure, Derek Mixon and Stapleton.
Hayes, who was born and raised in Mobile, was nominated with fellow songwriters Cameron Bartolini, Josh Jenkins and Shane Stevens. He’s also the artist who made the song a No. 1 hit this summer.
— The Blind Boys of Alabama were nominated with Bela Fleck for Best American Roots Performance, for “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free.” The award went to “Cry” by Jon Batiste.
The Blind Boys have been performing since the 1930s, when the gospel group was formed at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind in Talladega. The Blind Boys have been faithful to their gospel roots over the years, although original members such as Clarence Fountain and George Scott have died. Birmingham’s Jimmy Carter leads the troupe today. This recording of the Nina Simone classic “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free” is the A-side of a seven-inch vinyl single, released by Florence’s Single Lock Records for Record Store Day 2021. The Blind Boys have five Grammy wins and 10 nominations to their credit.
— Mastodon was nominated for Best Metal Performance, for “Pushing the Tides.” The award went to “The Alien” by Dream Theater.
Brent Hinds, a singer-guitarist for Mastodon, is originally from Pelham. “Pushing the Tides” is a single from Mastodon’s 2021 record, “Hushed and Grim.” The band was formed in Atlanta in 2000, and has eight studio albums to its credit. Mastodon won a Grammy in 2017, and has five previous nominations.
— Sun Ra Arkestra was nominated for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album, for “Swirling.” The award went to Christian McBride Big Band for “For Jimmy, Wes AND Oliver.”
Sun Ra, the Birmingham-born composer, performer, bandleader and galactic philosopher, died in 1993, but the jazz ensemble that bears his name lives on. “Swirling,” the Arkestra’s first album of new recordings in 20 years, was released in October 2020. The troupe is led by saxophonist Marshall Allen, 97, who started performing with Sun Ra in the 1950s.
— Shemekia Copeland was nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album, for “Uncivil War.” The award went to Christone “Kingfish” Ingram for “662.”
“Uncivil War,” released in October 2020, was produced by Mobile native Will Kimbrough. Kimbrough co-wrote a song on the album, “Clotilda’s on Fire,” with John Hahn, Copeland’s longtime manager, and plays on the track. “Clotilda’s on Fire,” a tune inspired by the final voyage of the Alabama slave ship, also features a guitar solo by Jason Isbell.
— Cha Wa, a Mardi Gras funk band from New Orleans, was nominated for Best Regional Roots Music Album, for “My People.” It’s also a Single Lock release. The award went to Kalani Pe’a for “Kalani Pe’a.”
— Masego was nominated for Best Progressive R&B Album, for “Studying Abroad: Extended Stay.” The award went to Lucky Day for “Table for Two.” Birmingham’s Luke S. Crowder is one of the producers for “Studying Abroad,” released in 2020 and expanded for a deluxe edition in 2021.
Winners in a handful of high-profile Grammy categories were announced Sunday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
One Grammy nominee with Alabama ties had yet to discover its fate on Sunday when the Premiere Ceremony ended.
H.E.R was in the running for Album of the Year, for “Back of My Mind.” Yung Bleu, a rapper who began his career in Mobile, is a featured artist on “Paradise,” a track on this 2021 studio album by H.E.R. Also, Kelvin Wooten, an Athens-based musician, songwriter and record producer, is among the songwriters for the album, and he worked as a producer on the tracks “Come Through” and “Closer To Me.”
The Grammy for Album of the Year went to “We Are” by Jon Batiste.
Artist Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, known in the music world as H.E.R., was the key player for a Grammy, but she had a long list of collaborators for “Back of My Mind.” According to the Grammys website, the award for Album of the Year goes to the artist, featured artists, songwriters of new material, producers, recording engineers, mixers and mastering engineers. That would have included Yung Bleu and Wooten, if “Back of My Mind” had won in this category.
Wooten also was one of the contributors to Jazmine Sullivan’s “Heaux Tales,” which took the Grammy for Best R&B album at the televised ceremony. He co-wrote “On It,” a track on the album, and was one of the producers for that track.
Recordings eligible for this year’s awards were released between Sept. 1, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2021, according to the Grammys website.
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20220404
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https://www.annistonstar.com/news/nation_world/spain-fbi-seize-russian-billionaires-99-million-yacht/article_113211c0-b43e-11ec-b548-3faa6970d882.html
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A yacht belonging to Russian billionaire Viktor Vekselberg was confiscated in Spain at the request of the U.S. government, which said it was the first — but definitely not the last — asset seizure targeting individuals close to Vladimir Putin.
“Together, with our international partners, we will do everything possible to hold accountable any individual whose criminal acts enable the Russian government to continue its unjust war,” U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.
The 256-foot-long ship called Tango is valued at more than 90 million euros ($99 million). The yacht has been impounded at the port of Palma de Mallorca by the police in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, according to a statement from the Spanish Civil Guard on Monday.
Vekselberg, who’s chairman of Renova Management AG, has been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control but not the European Union. The Cook Islands-flagged vessel is registered by a Virgin Islands-based entity, managed in turn by other firms located in Panama, the police said.
The seizure was coordinated through the U.S. Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency group aimed at imposing stiff penalties on wealthy Russians in response to Moscow’s military invasion of Ukraine.
“Today marks our task force’s first seizure of an asset belonging to a sanctioned individual with close ties to the Russian regime,” Garland said. “It will not be the last.”
Vekselberg has been under OFAC sanctions since 2018, in part over Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and other earlier actions taken against Ukraine. Last month, the U.S. government redesignated Vekselberg under the latest sanction regime and specifically identified Tango as a blocked asset, along with a private Airbus A319 jet.
Spanish authorities acted in response to a U.S. request after a seizure warrant was filed in federal court in Washington. The warrant alleges that the Tango “was subject to forfeiture based on violation of U.S. bank fraud, money laundering, and sanction statutes,” according to Justice Department.
“Separately, seizure warrants obtained in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia target approximately $625,000 associated with sanctioned parties held at nine U.S. financial institutions. Those seizures are based on sanctions violations by several Russian specially designated nationals.”
European member states are working with other countries, including the U.S., through the “Russian Elites, Proxies and Oligarchs” task force — known as REPO — whose aim is to identify the assets of individuals and entities sanctioned in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and take the legal steps needed to freeze, seize or confiscate their assets.
The U.S. action follows a series of similar moves by European countries after EU authorities imposed sanctions on Russian billionaires and businessman to prevent them from moving their assets.
In Spain, which is home to some of the largest ports in Europe used by owners of large yachts as a base to sail the Mediterranean as well as refit ships, the government had previously seized three other yachts.
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20220404
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_st_clair_times/springville-s-kyle-dorsett-wins-phoenix-bass-fishing-league-event/article_7c3d06be-b457-11ec-9469-437454a86b1a.html
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Boater Kyle Dorsett of Springville caught five bass Saturday weighing 15 pounds, 7 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Mitchell. The tournament was the second event for the Bass Fishing League Bama Division. Dorsett earned $5,498 for his victory.
“We had about an hour fog delay, and I really didn’t have any expectations,” Dorsett said. “I had practiced a couple of days, and the sun was out then, but I had never even caught a 3-pounder.
He added, “After the fog delay Saturday I went to my spot and there were two boats sitting on it, so I just picked up a jig and went fishing. I fished the way I like to fish.”
Dorsett said his bass came on a Dirty Jigs Swim Jig and a Dirty Jigs Scott Canterbury Flippin’ Jig. He said he focused on fishing Lake Mitchell from the boat ramp mid-lake to the Coosa River.
“This win feels awesome,” Dorsett said. “This is my third BFL win, but it’s been a while. It’s just awesome to win against this caliber of fishermen.”
Tyler Smith of Selma, Alabama, had a 4-pound, 6-ounce largemouth that was the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division and earned the day’s Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $645.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 13-15 Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on Pickwick Lake in Counce, Tennessee.
Boaters will compete for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.
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20220404
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https://www.annistonstar.com/sports/high_school/calhoun-county-softball-updated-scores-pairings-from-day-1/article_027232f8-b463-11ec-8adf-e72eb1c2b1d9.html
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2022 Calhoun County softball tournament
At Calhoun County Sports Complex, JSU
Seedings/records
1. Alexandria: 27-6
2. White Plains: 21-4
3. Piedmont: 11-7
4. Pleasant Valley: 17-11-1
5. Weaver: 12-9
6. Jacksonville: 16-15-1
7. Ohatchee: 10-12-1
8. Oxford: 5-12-2
9. Jacksonville Christian: 7-4
10. Saks: 5-22-1
11. Wellborn: 3-10
12. Anniston: 2-7
13, Faith Christian: 0-12
Schedule
Monday
At Calhoun County Sports Complex
(Double elimination)
No. 7 Ohatchee 10, No. 10 Saks 2
No. 6 Jacksonville 8, No. 11 Wellborn 5
No. 4 Pleasant Valley 16, No. 13 Faith Christian 0
No. 5 Weaver 12, No. 12 Anniston 1
No. 8 Oxford 14, No. 9 Jacksonville Christian 0
Winners’ bracket
No. 1 Alexandria vs. Oxford, 4:30 p.m.
No. 2 White Plains vs. Ohatchee, 4:30 p.m.
No. 3 Piedmont vs. Jacksonville, 4:30 p.m.
Pleasant Valley vs. Weaver, 4:30 p.m.
Elimination bracket
Faith Christian vs. Anniston, 4:30 p.m.
JCA vs. Faith/Anninston 6 p.m.
Saks vs. Pleasant Valley/Weaver, 6 p.m.
Wellborn vs. Oxford/Alexandria, 6 p.m.
Thursday
At Calhoun County Sports Complex
Winners’ bracket semifinals, 3 p.m.
Two elimination bracket games, 3 p.m.
Two elimination bracket games, 4:30 p.m.
Elimination bracket, 6 p.m.
Winners’ bracket final, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
At JSU
Elimination-bracket final, 5 p.m.
Championship, 7 p.m.
If-necessary game, 9 p.m.
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20220404
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_daily_home/dh_news/plank-road-station-plans-grass-roots-day-for-may-21/article_e75d3646-b464-11ec-b038-43d4e301dc4c.html
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Plank Road Station in Winterboro will host its sixth annual Grass Roots Day on May 21 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The day’s event will include antique cars and trucks, fine art inside the lodge, arts and crafts on the grounds and entertainment all day long. The event is “food, fun and family friendly,” according to organizers.
Vendor spaces are still available. For more information, please call Becky at 256-362-9375.
All proceeds go to restoration projects at Aljerald Power Memorial Lodge Plank Road Station, a 501(c) tax exempt organization.
The lodge is located in Winterboro, between the new school and the old school.
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20220404
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_daily_home/dh_news/shots-fired-on-saturday-in-talladega-and-a-14-year-old-boy-is-dead/article_d3878b20-b465-11ec-90d9-f7ac92e201fa.html
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A shooting Saturday night on Talladega’s east side took the life of a 14-year-old boy. Because of the victim’s age, police declined to release his identity Monday afternoon.
According to Lt. Jimmy Thompson, a patrol officer heard gunshots coming from Avenue H near Knoxville Homes at 10:47 p.m. When they arrived at the scene, the officers found a car on the side of the road which appeared to have been shot numerous times. The Zora Ellis Junior High School student had also been struck numerous times and was still inside the car. Medical attention was requested, but it appears that the young man died at the scene.
“The (Talladega County) District Attorney’s Office has requested an autopsy report from the Alabama Department of Forensic Science, and the decedent has been transported for further investigation,” Thompson said. “This is an ongoing investigation, and any and all information from the public is requested.”
In addition to the shots that killed the teenaged victim, police also noted at least three other vehicles parked in the general area that had been damaged by gunshots. None of the three vehicles were occupied at the time, and no other injuries were reported.
Saturday’s fatality was actually the second shooting incident reported this weekend in the same general area. Thompson said that officers responded Friday at about 5:50 p.m. to a juvenile who had been shot in the foot on Davis Street near Avenue H. This victim told officers that he was walking down the street when an unknown person in an unknown vehicle began shooting. This victim was struck one time in the foot. His injuries are not considered life-threatening, Thompson said.
During the same incident, a vehicle driving on Davis Street was also struck by several bullets. The driver, a 19-year-old woman, was uninjured and was able to seek safety. Her vehicle was rendered inoperable, however.
Few further details of either of the above incidents were readily available Monday afternoon.
Anyone with information on either of these incidents should contact the Talladega Police Department at 256-362-4508 or call the city’s anonymous tip line at 256-299-0011. You may also leave an anonymous tip at the city’s website, www.talladega.com.
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20220404
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_daily_home/dh_news/watercolor-society-opens-exhibition-in-talladega/article_82c83e04-b466-11ec-bdb1-d75eedb452cc.html
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The Watercolor Society of Alabama’s 81 National Exhibition will be at Talladega’s Heritage Hall Museum from April 3 through June 1. The opening of the exhibit will be Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The museum also has several events planned to coincide with the April in Talladega Pilgrimage, according to Director Valerie White. On Saturday, there will be artists painting on the lawn (plein aire), a "wet paint" art sale, artisan demonstrations and live music with Julie Moon and the Bluegrass Connection from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. These events are free to the public.
“Having this exhibit in Talladega is a big honor for us and our town,” White said. “Usually, this exhibit is hosted in venues like Tuscaloosa, Fairhope and Auburn. Over 20 states are represented, and the exhibit is just fantastic. Visitors come from all over the south to this exhibit annually, and the (public relations) impact and money spent in Talladega are welcome, too, of course. Our city manager, Seddrick Hill, will be providing remarks at the exhibit opening on Sunday.”
Heritage Hall Museum is located on South Street next to the Armstrong-Osborne Public Library.
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Artillery Man III by Don Taylor wom the Alabama Watercolor Society Patron Award.
The late Tommy Moorehead's wife Marsha Moorehead, daughter Abby Kuhn and granddaughter Clarke Kuhn pose with the watercolor that received the Tommy Moorehead Memorial Award.
Photos: Watercolor Society of Alabama show at Heritage Hall
Heritage Hall in Talladega held an opening reception and awards presentation Sunday for the 81st Annual Watercolor Society of Alabama's National Exhibition. The watercolor pieces will be display at Heritage Hall through June 1.
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Artillery Man III by Don Taylor wom the Alabama Watercolor Society Patron Award.
Bob Crisp/The Daily Home
Taxi by Sandra Carpenter won the Mary Nelson and Sarah Whitson Memorial Award.
Bob Crisp/The Daily Home
The 81st Annual Watercolor Society of Alabama's National Exhibition will be on display at Heritage Hall Museum and Art Center through June 3.
Bob Crisp/The Daily Home
The 81st Annual Watercolor Society of Alabama's National Exhibition will be on display at Heritage Hall Museum and Art Center through June 3.
Bob Crisp/The Daily Home
Lemons, Berries and Pewter Cups by Chris Krupinski won the Tommy Moorehead Memorial.
Bob Crisp/The Daily Home
The 81st Annual Watercolor Society of Alabama's National Exhibition will be on display at Heritage Hall Museum and Art Center through June 3.
Bob Crisp/The Daily Home
Happy Sunflowers Pratibha Garewal won the Evelyn Daniel Anderson Memorial Award.
Bob Crisp/The Daily Home
The 81st Annual Watercolor Society of Alabama's National Exhibition will be on display at Heritage Hall Museum and Art Center through June 3.
Bob Crisp/The Daily Home
The 81st Annual Watercolor Society of Alabama's National Exhibition will be on display at Heritage Hall Museum and Art Center through June 3.
Bob Crisp/The Daily Home
The 81st Annual Watercolor Society of Alabama's National Exhibition will be on display at Heritage Hall Museum and Art Center through June 3.
Bob Crisp/The Daily Home
The late Tommy Moorehead's wife Marsha Moorehead, daughter Abby Kuhn and granddaughter Clarke Kuhn pose with the watercolor that received the Tommy Moorehead Memorial Award.
Bob Crisp/The Daily Home
The 81st Annual Watercolor Society of Alabama's National Exhibition will be on display at Heritage Hall Museum and Art Center through June 3.
Bob Crisp/The Daily Home
The 81st Annual Watercolor Society of Alabama's National Exhibition will be on display at Heritage Hall Museum and Art Center through June 3.
Bob Crisp/The Daily Home
Fallen by Walt Costilow won the Signature award.
Bob Crisp/The Daily Home
The Morning Table by Keiko Yasuoka won the Fine Arts Patrons' Award.
Bob Crisp/The Daily Home
Girl With a Red Umbrella by James Brantley won the Fine Arts Patrons' Award.
Bob Crisp/The Daily Home
Popular Fishing Spot by Gail Watson won the Watercolor Society of Alabama Patron Award.
Bob Crisp/The Daily Home
The 81st Annual Watercolor Society of Alabama's National Exhibition will be on display at Heritage Hall Museum and Art Center through June 3.
Bob Crisp/The Daily Home
Bare Ruin'd Choirs by Jackie Dorsey won the Award of Excellence.
Bob Crisp/The Daily Home
The Trolley Driver by Allan Butt won the Board of Driectors' Award.
Bob Crisp/The Daily Home
The 81st Annual Watercolor Society of Alabama's National Exhibition will be on display at Heritage Hall Museum and Art Center through June 3.
Bob Crisp/The Daily Home
The 81st Annual Watercolor Society of Alabama's National Exhibition will be on display at Heritage Hall Museum and Art Center through June 3.
Bob Crisp/The Daily Home
The 81st Annual Watercolor Society of Alabama's National Exhibition will be on display at Heritage Hall Museum and Art Center through June 3.
Bob Crisp/The Daily Home
The 81st Annual Watercolor Society of Alabama's National Exhibition will be on display at Heritage Hall Museum and Art Center through June 3.
Bob Crisp/The Daily Home
The 81st Annual Watercolor Society of Alabama's National Exhibition will be on display at Heritage Hall Museum and Art Center through June 3.
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20220404
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_daily_home/dh_news/talladega-city-council-approves-1-8-million-in-american-rescue-plan-act-funds/article_0fdacc72-b47f-11ec-a040-7b6db86182aa.html
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TALLADEGA — The Talladega City Council voted 3-0 Monday night to approve more than $1.8 million in funding related to the American Rescue Plan Act.
Council President Dr. Horace Patterson and Councilwoman Vickie Robinson-Hall abstained from voting to avoid the appearance of conflict of interest.
“I serve on a board that will possibly be dealing with the funds, so I thought it best to abstain,” Patterson said.
The expenditures fall into seven different categories, including public health, negative economic impacts, services to disproportionately impacted communities, premium pay, infrastructure, revenue replacement and administrative.
Under the public health category, $15,000 goes to COVID-19 testing, $10,000 for personal protective equipment, $50,000 for capital investments or physical plant changes; $25,000 for mental health services and $25,000 for substance abuse services.
Negative economic impacts, the largest category, includes $125,000 for rent, mortgage and utility aid; $100,000 for internet hotspots; $125,000 for small business economic assistance; $445,730 in aid for non-profit organizations; $200,000 for aid to tourism and $225,000 for other economic support.
Services to disproportionately impacted communities funding goes primarily to education related programs, including $167,840 for early learning, $150,000 for aid to high poverty districts, $50,000 for affordable housing support and $25,000 for other education assistance.
Under infrastructure, the package includes $100,000 to address combined sewer overflows.
Additional funds are expected this summer.
During the same meeting, the council also took up two pieces of business relating The Rock, the Talladega Municipal Golf Course.
The first involved a memorandum of understanding with Alabama Power for land the company owns around the course. According to the agreement, the city will lease the property for $4,100 per year, with annual lease rate escalation of two percent for 10 years, with an additional, optional term of five years beyond that.
The second action involved a resolution unanimously approved by the council following a brief executive session.
According to City Manager Seddrick Hill, the second resolution was a memorandum of understanding with the Omega Academy of Science and Fine Arts. Hill said he could not elaborate on the details of the agreement Monday, pending approval and an announcement from the academy.
Also Monday, the council:
—Acknowledged that April is Child Abuse Awaness and Prevention Month.
—Saw Mayor Timothy Ragland swear Jeremy Hardy in as a member of the Industrial Development Board.
—Reappoiinted Travis Ford and Howard “Rip” Williams to the Civil Service Board by a vote of 4-0, with Williams’ son Trae Williams abstaining.
—Appointed Rev. Hugh Morris to the Board of Adjustments and Appeals.
—Agreed to hold a public meeting on a request from the Talladega College Student Government Association to paint a Black Lives Matter Mural near the Billy Hawkins Students Center. The school has been awarded a grant for the project.
—Made a $1,000 donation to the April in Talladega Pilgrimage Council.
—Donated $2,500 to the United Way for the Heavenly Peace bed building project.
—Waived the open container ordinance and closed parts of North, West, Battle and Court Streets for the Block Party and Second Saturday events April 9.
—Approved an increase in the lodging tax that had been tabled at a previous meeting.
—Approved the combination of for the office and billing supervisors in the Water and Sewer Departments.
—Surplussed a 2012 Dodge Journey in the Parks and Recreation Department.
—Approved a contract of up to $8,000 with the East Alabama Umpire Assocition for baseball officiating.
—Approved a lease contract with Miller’s BBQ for concession services at the Ben Bruner Sports Complex.
—Approved a $127,243.30 contract with Davis Builders for Heritage Hall exterior drainage improvements.
—Approved $10,000 for the induction ceremony at the Davey Allison Memorial Park. Clint Boyer will be inducted April 22.
—Surplussed playground equipment from the East Side Head Start building and various items from the community appearance department.
—Did not consider this year’s capital improvement plan. Hill explained that the city is going to have to repair several roofs, and if the insurance will not cover enough of the costs, then almost all of this year’s capital improvement budget will have to go to roof repairs.
—Announced that the city’s chief financial officer and revenue officer positions were currently vacant.
—Announced that the city would place a portable cell phone tower near the Talladega Superspeedway.
—Announced that the state of the city address would be April 30.
—Agreed to settle a lawsuit for roughly $5,000 with a resident who had been billed for sewer service even though she was a septic tank. This was also discussed in executive session.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_daily_home/dh_news/talladega-makes-it-public-theres-a-new-chief-of-police-in-town/article_530285f6-b47c-11ec-998e-3b8a139561cb.html
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TALLADEGA — Diane Thomas is Talladega’s new chief of police.
Although she will not be sworn in officially until April 25, Thomas’s appointment was announced publicly to the Talladega City Council on Monday evening.
“I am very excited, and I want to thank you for this opportunity,” Thomas said Monday. “I look forward to building strong relationships in the community and to building a cohesive team in the department. I promise I will give it my best,” she said.
Thomas has been the assistant chief of police in Prattville since 2015. She has more than 30 years' experience in law enforcement and is also an adjunct professor of criminal justice at Faulkner University.
“I am pleased that Diane Thomas has accepted the position of Talladega’s next chief of police," City Manager Seddrick Hill said. "She brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our community. She is committed to enforcing the law, reducing crime and strengthening community relations.”
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice administration from Faulkner University and completed Leadership Autauga, FBINA, IACP, Women’s Leadership Institution and other leadership programs. She has served on various boards, including the Autauga County Department of Human Resources.
She is also a recipient of the Dr. Dorothy Height Leadership Award, the Woman of Character Luminary Award and the Crime Stopper Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award.
Thomas will be the city’s first Black and first female police chief.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_st_clair_times/stclair_news/riverside-council-approves-measures-on-tour-boats-as-they-deal-with-new-coast-guard-regulations/article_87612e8a-b47f-11ec-b783-df40da878abb.html
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RIVERSIDE — The Riverside City Council has approved a new ordinance to help better regulate tour boats, just as Lake Logan Martin is dealing with disruptions to tour boat operations.
During its regular meeting Monday the council approved amendments to its park and recreation ordinance requiring any entity that uses city facilities or property, including Riverside Landing, for profit or personal gain to have a prior agreement with the city and prohibiting keeping a boat docked moored, or launched at the landing while unattended.
Mayor Rusty Jessup said during the council’s work session that the agreement the city plans to use for tour boats would require them to pay a $1,200 mooring fee. He said he would like to give the option for the fee to be paid once a year or in installments every quarter.
Jessup said that discussion is somewhat academic as neither the Coosa Queen Riverboat or the new Sweet Olive Tour Boat can currently operate because they need certification from the United States Coast Guard. He said to get that certification the operator of the boat needs to have a captain's license and the boat needs to have certain equipment and safety features.
The mayor said the Coast Guard is enforcing its regulatory jurisdiction on Logan Martin, and the entire Coosa River from Rome, Ga., to Mobile, something the city and the two tour boat companies had not been previously aware of. He said the issue came about after a recent incident where the Coosa Queen ran aground and needed to unload passengers.
“Through that process the Coast Guard got alerted,” he said.
Jessup said he thought someone may have called the Coast Guard to consult on safety features or regulations and that caused the Coast Guard to realize they had jurisdiction after looking into the matter.
“There is a law that says the Coosa River from Rome, Ga., all the way down to Mobile is navigable waters and therefore under the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard,” he said.
The mayor said he at least personally disagrees with that assessment as Alabama Power operates seven electricity generating dams throughout the Coosa River. He said he felt this would make the river itself non navigable, though several of the lakes in the state are individually navigable. Jessup also said he felt these regulations are meant more for craft in intercoastal waterways or the ocean, not Logan Martin. He said the Coast Guard’s representatives he met with simply said it was not their place to make that determination and showed him the law specifically detailing the Coosa River.
The mayor said despite these issues he wanted to have the new ordinance in place for when the tour boats are back up and running. He said that Don Urso, the owner of the Coosa Queen has said he will try to get his coast guard certification so that he can resume business and the owners of the Sweet Olive said they had gone through the process before.
Jessup said he also plans to work with St. Clair County’s legislative delegation and the Alabama Tourism Board to get the issue resolved. He said the boats not being able to operate is bad for Riverside and Lake Logan Martin.
“It's unfortunate because these tour boats bring a lot of tourists into our county and into our area,” the mayor said. “Tourists from Anniston, Gadsden, Birmingham and even Atlanta and surrounding areas come here to have a day on the lake.”
He said he would hate for the city and the county to lose that because the business had to shut down because of increased regulation.
The only other matter the council looked at was hearing from County Commision Chairman Candidate Stan Bateman during its work session.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/sports/high_school/calhoun-county-softball-anniston-breakthrough-highlights-first-day/article_166cc9e4-b49a-11ec-a3ea-07b79a6295c6.html
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Lyric Williams felt like all things are possible during Day 1 of the Calhoun County softball tournament. An historic win will do that.
On a day when the top eight seeds survived in the double-elimination tourney at Calhoun County softball complex, Anniston’s come-from-behind, 8-4 victory over Faith Christian in the first elimination round stood out.
The victory is Anniston’s first in the Calhoun County softball tournament in the fast-pitch era.
Williams, a left-handed pitcher, learned of the breakthrough after Anniston rallied from a 4-0 hole with four runs in each of the last two innings.
“It made me feel like I can inspire people to play softball,” the seventh-grader said. “Everybody thinks the boys’ sports mean everything, and the girls’ sports matter, too.
“I hope everybody can see that.”
Layla Tyus went 2-for-3 with a home run and double. Anniston also got two hits from Taysia West.
“It’s a great feeling,” Anniston coach Dwanne Smedley said. “These girls have been working hard.
“For the past two years, we’ve had a bunch of seventh-graders and eighth-graders. We’ve had one senior. For them to win their first county game as seventh- and eighth-graders, I think it’s going to be way better in the future.”
Anniston lost its opener to Weaver 12-1, and Ohatchee eliminated the Bulldogs 16-1 after Anniston’s second victory over Faith this season.
History highlighted a day when chalk prevailed, in terms of seeding. Top seed Alexandria beat No. 8 Oxford 2-0, No. 2 White Plains beat No. 7 Ohatchee 8-0, and No. 3 Piedmont beat Jacksonville 9-4.
No. 4 seed Pleasant Valley beat Faith 16-0 and No. 5 Weaver 8-2.
That sets up Thursday’s winners’ bracket semifinals, with Alexandria playing Pleasant Valley and White Plains playing Piedmont at the Calhoun Complex. In the elimination bracket, Ohatchee will play Jacksonville, and Weaver will play Oxford.
The tournament concludes Friday at Jacksonville State University.
Other highlights from Day 1:
No. 1 Alexandria
The Valley Cubs beat Oxford for the third time this season, 2-0, but the game marked the closest between the teams.
Rylee Gattis pitched a one-hitter with one walk and 10 strikeouts in five innings, and twin sister Chloe Gattis had the Valley Cubs’ lone RBI. Leadoff hitter Jill Cockrell scored both runs.
Alexandria coach Brian Hess noted that Oxford played like a team that felt “disrespected” in seeding and had a legitimate gripe, but he said his team left runs on the field because of base-running mistakes.
“I’m not very happy,” he said. “This is something that’s been going on all weekend. We won games relying on pitching and defense, but execution on the bases is inexcusable. …
“You’ve got to make those plays. You’ve got to be able to run the bases and be aggressive, and we’ve always been an aggressive team. Tonight, we were not.”
No. 2 White Plains
Adriana Sotello went 2-for-2 with three RBIs, and Callyn Martin drove in two runs as White Plains rolled to victory. Sotello, Callie Richardson and Emma Howard each hit doubles, and Courtnee Masson hit a triple.
Leighton Arnold and Jaylee Crow combined to pitch a two-hitter with three strikeouts apiece.
“I felt like the girls had their heads on straight and were ready to play ball,” White Plains coach Rachel Ford said. “I was pleased with the outing. We got to get a lot of playing time for some younger girls, and that’s always good.”
No. 3 Piedmont
The Bulldogs scored in every inning against Jacksonville, including their six-run third inning.
Emma Grace Todd went 3-for-3 with a double, three runs and two RBIs. Carson Young went 2-for-2 with a double, a run and two RBIs.
Savannah Smith had Piedmont’s other double and drove in a run, and Emily Farmer went the distance in the circle, going five innings and allowing four hits, two earned runs and one walk with five strikeouts.
“Today, we had some people who struggled at the plate, and we used our bench to help us out,” Piedmont coach Rachel Smith said. “Those people stepped up and came through.”
No. 4 Pleasant Valley
Lily Henry drove in five runs against Faith, and Madyson Cromer doubled and drove in two runs against Weaver. Henry also pitched five innings against Weaver, allowing five hits and no earned runs, one walk and three strikeouts.
Morgan Blohm and Analee Hurst combined to throw a no-hitter in three innings against Faith.
The Raiders earned their third shot at Alexandria this season and a rematch of last year’s dramatic county championship game, a which was a pitching showdown between Alexandria’s Rylee Gattis and then-Pleasant Valley senior Leah Patterson.
“It’s always a good thing to play Alexandria, because they’re really the standard bearer, I think, in this whole part of the state,” Pleasant Valley coach David Bryant said. “To get to play them is an opportunity for us to get better.
“They’re a great team. I feel like if we throw strikes, and we make plays, and we execute and play like we can, we’re right there with them.”
Other highlights
No. 5 Weaver: Tiana Lawrence’s three-run home run put the Bearcats’ victory over Saks out of reach. It came with Weaver leading 4-2 in the fourth inning.
No. 6 Jacksonville: Carli Fritts pitched a one-hitter in five innings against JCA, striking out eight batters. She also homered against Wellborn.
No. 7 Ohatchee: Mackenzie Luna drove in three runs against Saks and scored three against Anniston. Her day included a double and a triple. Ellie Carden doubled with two RBIs against Saks, and Tabi Davidson tripled with four RBIs against Anniston.
No. 8 Oxford: Berkeley Mooney had a big day for the Yellow Jackets, pitching a no-hitter against Wellborn and a five-hitter against top seed Alexandria. She struck out 13 batters on the day. She also homered with three RBIs against Wellborn and hit a triple with an RBI against JCA. Kaelyn Crossley pitched a no-hitter against JCA, striking out four batters.
2022 Calhoun County softball tournament
At Calhoun County Sports Complex, JSU
Seedings/records
1. Alexandria: 28-6
2. White Plains: 22-4
3. Piedmont: 12-7
4. Pleasant Valley: 18-11-1
5. Weaver: 13-10
6. Jacksonville: 17-16-1
7. Ohatchee: 11-13-1
8. Oxford: 7-12-2
9. Jacksonville Christian: 7-5
10. Saks: 5-23-1
11. Wellborn: 3-11
12. Anniston: 2-8
13, Faith Christian: 0-13
Schedule
Monday
At Calhoun County Sports Complex
(Double elimination)
No. 7 Ohatchee 10, No. 10 Saks 2
No. 6 Jacksonville 8, No. 11 Wellborn 5
No. 4 Pleasant Valley 16, No. 13 Faith Christian 0
No. 5 Weaver 12, No. 12 Anniston 1
No. 8 Oxford 14, No. 9 Jacksonville Christian 0
Winners’ bracket
No. 1 Alexandria 2, Oxford 0
No. 2 White Plains 8, Ohatchee 0
No. 3 Piedmont 9, Jacksonville 4
Pleasant Valley 8, Weaver 2
Elimination bracket
Anniston 8, Faith Christian 4
Ohatchee 16, Anniston 1
Weaver 9, Saks 2
Oxford 11, Wellborn 0
Jacksonville 9, Jacksonville Christian 0
Thursday
At Calhoun County Sports Complex
Winners’ bracket semifinals
White Plains vs. Piedmont, 3 p.m.
Alexandria vs. Pleasant Valley, 3 p.m.
Elimination bracket
Ohatchee vs. Jacksonville, 3 p.m.
Weaver vs. Oxford, 3 p.m.
Two elimination games, 4:30 p.m.
Elimination game, 6 p.m.
Winners’ bracket final, 6 p.m.
Friday
At JSU
Elimination-bracket final, 5 p.m.
Championship, 7 p.m.
If-necessary game, 9 p.m.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/sports/high_school/prep-roundup-big-days-for-piedmonts-hayes-donohos-haney-jacksonvilles-willingham/article_81779182-b4a0-11ec-9931-8b64551d397f.html
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OHATCHEE —Jack Hayes homered twice on a day when Piedmont churned out 15 hits, and the Bulldogs beat Ohatchee 21-3 in Monday’s first game of a Class 3A, Area 11 series.
Hayes went 4-for-5 with two runs and six RBIs on the day. He also hit a double as Piedmont ran its winning streak to 15 games.
He also got the win on the mound, allowing three hits, one earned run and one walk with five strikeouts in four innings.
Other top performers:
—Piedmont’s Austin Estes, 2-for-5, three runs, RBI.
—Piedmont’s Max Hanson, 3-for-5, triple, three runs, RBI.
—Piedmont’s McClane Mohon, 1-for-5, two runs, two RBIs; pitched one inning in relief, allowing one hit and one earned run with three strikeouts.
—Piedmont’s Jake Austin, 2-for-3, double, run, two RBIs.
—Piedmont’s Cassius Fairs, 2-for-3, three runs.
—Ohatchee’s Carson Tittle, 2-for-2, double, three runs.
—Ohatchee’s Devin Howell, 1-for-2, RBI.
—Ohatchee’s Brent Honaker, 1-for-2, RBI.
Donoho 15, Faith Christian 1: Slade Haney homered twice and drove in seven runs to lead Donoho in Class 1A, Area 9 play.
He was 2-for-4 and scored two runs, and his day at the plate included a grand slam in the fifth inning.
Haney also went the distance on the mound, spreading out four hits over five innings with no walks and seven strikeouts.
Other top performers:
—Donoho’s Nic Thompson, 2-for-3, double, three runs.
—Donoho’s Lucas Elliott, 3-for-4, triple, three runs, two RBIs.
—Donoho’s Judson Billings, 2-for-4, RBI.
—Donoho’s Blake Sewell, 1-for-3, two runs.
—Donoho’s Peyton Webb, 2-for-2, double, run.
—Donoho’s Will Folsom, 1-for-3, RBI.
—Donoho’s Tyler Allen, 1-for-2, home run, three runs, RBI.
—Faith Christian’s Carson Limbaugh, 1-for-2, RBI.
—Faith Christian’s Kash Sharma, 1-for-2, RBI.
Jacksonville 11, Fyfle 1: Dakoda Willingham pitched a two hitter with 10 strikeouts over five innings and drove in a run for the Golden Eagles.
Jacksonville’s other top performers:
—Tito Canales, 2-for-3, RBI.
—Jim Ogle, 1-for-2, two runs.
—Nic Salmon, 1-for-2, run, RBI.
—Jackson Bonner, 1-for-3, RBI.
—Jae-Taj Morris, 1-for-3, triple, two runs, RBI.
—Carmello Canales, 1-for-3, run.
—Jakoby Zackery, 1-for-3, double, run.
—Drew Pridgen, 1-for-1, two runs.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/news/honda-gm-announce-agreement-to-make-affordable-electric-vehicles-together/article_de56fc48-b4d8-11ec-869c-9340539814a2.html
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Honda and General Motors plan to cooperate on development of a line of affordable electric vehicles, starting in 2027.
In a joint statement today, the carmakers said the collaboration will allow global production of "millions" of electric vehicles.
The vehicles will be powered by GM's Ultium battery technology, the statement said.
"By working together, we’ll put people all over the world into EVs faster than either company could achieve on its own,” GM CEO Mary Barra said in the statement.
Honda President and CEO Toshihiro Mibe said the companies "will build on our successful technology collaboration to help achieve a dramatic expansion in the sales of electric vehicles.”
Honda employs more than 4,500 at its Lincoln production facility in Alabama.
Calhoun, Talladega and St. Clair county residents make up nearly 70 percent of Honda's local workforce.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/news/piedmont/piedmont-man-dies-in-traffic-collision/article_cb6b6260-b4a4-11ec-bf5c-7ffd0e61bc5d.html
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A two-vehicle accident in Piedmont claimed the life of a man Monday afternoon, officials said.
Donald Wayne Hill, 59, of Piedmont, was traveling with a seven-year-old juvenile passenger when his van collided with a Ford F150 on Alabama 21 in front of Piedmont High School, according to Piedmont police Chief Nathan Johnson.
He was pronounced dead at the scene approximately 4:24 p.m. by Calhoun County Coroner Pat Brown.
According to Johnson, the driver of the F150 truck, a 57-year-old male, was taken to a local hospital, while the seven-year-old in the van was airlifted to a hospital in Birmingham. Neither of their current conditions was available.
Brown said Hill died of multiple blunt force trauma secondary to a medical condition.
“I have reason to believe he was unconscious prior to the wreck,” Brown said.
Information was not given regarding whether any of the parties involved was wearing safety restraints during the crash.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/features/look-back-to-a-serious-malfunction-at-the-museum-1997/article_85eed494-b4ac-11ec-86d1-635fa4b95f93.html
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April 5, 1947: The date fell on a Saturday during a 12-year period (1940-52) when The Star didn’t publish on that day of the week.
April 5, 1997, in The Star: Newly installed hydrating units malfunctioned at the Anniston Museum of Natural History last night, causing significant water damage to three popular exhibits. The cause of the malfunction has yet to be determined. The state-of-the-art steam system had been installed during the previous two months to keep the environment inside the exhibit halls constant, on account of the fragile nature of the taxidermy specimens there. “Nothing has ever happened this dramatic before. When something like this happens in a museum environment, it’s very serious,” said museum spokeswoman Susan Robertson. The system is designed to maintain 50 percent humidity in a 70 degree air temperature, but a malfunction caused the steam to run continuously all night; condensed moisture dripped constantly from the ceiling onto the exhibits before being discovered early the next morning. Also this date: Starting in two days, television news viewers in Calhoun and Etowah counties will have a new choice for learning about local current events. WNAL Channel 44 in Gadsden will begin showing a simulcast of the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. local news from Birmingham’s CBS affiliate, WBMG Channel 42. WNAL doesn’t have a local news program of its own.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/news/rain-creates-some-flooding-severe-weather-could-be-coming-wednesday/article_ea25c9d2-b4f1-11ec-91bb-87fed670e19d.html
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The region woke up to the stormy weather this morning, but forecasters say the real threat could come as a cold front moves through the area Wednesday afternoon.
The National Weather Service in Birmingham had not posted any advisories or warnings as of 10:15 a.m., but the outlook still shows the potential of strong straight-line winds as Wednesday’s cold front moves through the area.
ABC 33/40 Meteorologist James Spann reported the Wednesday event is more likely to be only a strong wind event as the moisture from the system will have greatly diminished.
Spann said although the risk of tornadoes is not “zero percent,” the winds need to change direction with altitude to form tornadoes and forecast models show winds as being unidirectional Wednesday afternoon and evening.
The Oxford Fire Department is reporting that it is beginning to receive reports of flooded roadways. The two current verified flooding spots are Recreation Drive and Elm Street, between Waffle House and Circle K.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/sports/high_school/calhoun-county-soccer-scores-matchups/article_038dcc3a-b4e3-11ec-a5ef-e751e1c3cf26.html
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2022 Calhoun County soccer tournament
At McClellan
Seedings and county/overall records
BOYS
1. Donoho: 7-0
2. Oxford: 5-7
3. White Plains: 7-3
4. Faith Christian: 6-4
5. Jacksonville: 6-5
6. Saks: 2-6-2
7. Weaver: 2-11
GIRLS
1. Donoho: 8-0
2. Oxford: 6-7
3. Weaver: 5-5-1
4. Jacksonville: 5-4
5. Saks: 3-5-2
6. Faith Christian: 2-8
Schedules
BOYS
Monday
No. 5 Jacksonville 3, No. 4 Faith Christian 1
No. 2 Oxford 6, No. 7 Weaver 0
No. 3 White Plains 1, No. 6 Saks, 0
Thursday
No. 1 Donoho vs. Jacksonville winner, 7 p.m.
Oxford vs, White Plains, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 7 p.m.
GIRLS
Monday
No. 4 Jacksonville 4, No. 5 Saks 1
No. 3 Weaver 3, No. 6 Faith Christian 2
Thursday
No. 1 Donoho vs. Jacksonville, 5 p.m.
No. 2 Oxford vs. Weaver, 5 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 3 p.m.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/news/state/driver-s-license-suspension-bill-awaits-decision-in-final-days-of-session/article_a858d56e-b4fe-11ec-b1e7-930f95163c58.html
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MONTGOMERY — A bill that would allow a larger grace period between unpaid traffic tickets and driver’s license suspensions has passed the Senate, but its future in the House is uncertain in the last week of the legislative session.
Senate Bill 117 has been moving through the legislature since the session began in January. It was approved by the Senate in a 30-0 vote in February.
Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office confirmed to Alabama Daily News on Monday it is opposed to the legislation. The office did not comment on why.
Leah Nelson, research director for the Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, remains a firm advocate for the changes this bill proposes.
She said the bill is a “no-brainer” because around the state there are vacant jobs and people who want to work but can’t without licenses.
“I can’t think of any reason to vote against this (bill),” Nelson said.
Bill sponsor Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, expressed the need for grace toward Alabamians who have a record of paying their fees on time but may miss one or two payments due to life circumstances. Barfoot explained that licenses may still be suspended if someone misses six or more payments within the first year of a payment plan and if someone fails to attend a court appearance, warrants can still go out without automatically suspending their license.
“This is about second chances, not infinite chances,” Nelson said.
When asked about the possibility of SB117 appearing on the floor in the session’s final possible four days, Alabama House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, did not offer any certainty.
“Many bills are currently in position for passage,” he said. “As a leader, I work to ensure the democratic legislative process works as it was intended. The sponsors of the bills must continue to work their bills and gather the votes necessary to secure final passage.”
Nelson also drew attention to the recent revelations regarding the Alabama town of Brookside and the extortion of their citizens through traffic fines.
“Brookside is why it’s so important to give people second chances because we know now there are courts and police departments out there that prey on people and make it hard for them to comply and Brookside is not the only Brookside,” Nelson said.
Workers Drive Alabama, a campaign led by Appleseed, focuses specifically on the issue of driver license suspension and how it impacts individuals across the state.
Among these people with suspended licenses, 5 percent were suspended due to reckless driving while the other 95 percent were due to unpaid traffic fines, according to a 2018 survey by the campaign.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_st_clair_times/dunkin-donuts-sees-first-day-of-business-in-moody/article_69569128-b510-11ec-9757-cbfc220fa955.html
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MOODY — Dunkin’ Donuts located off Highway 411 in Moody saw its first day of business Friday, April 1, with lines of customers ready to enjoy copious amounts of coffee and donuts.
Moody Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Andrea Machen said that the citizens of Moody are excited as there has certainly been a demand for a business such as Dunkin’ in the Moody and Leeds areas.
“We had a big request for coffee and a big request for donuts if you want to know the truth so everybody has shown a great deal of support for this project and excitement,” she said. “There has been nothing but good feedback.”
Machen noted that the chamber played a role in promoting the vacant building once Burger King moved out. However, the executive director had been in touch with those at Dunkin’s headquarters previously, but was able to reach back out at a retail conference as Moody was already on their radar.
“Once they made their decision, it was a pretty quick turnaround,” she said.
Machen added that the revenue aspect of the new business will be great for Moody’s growth.
“Everybody likes their coffee on the way to work and, who doesn’t like a donut, so it’s a win-win for us,” Machen said.
Following last week’s soft opening, the chamber is set to plan an official ribbon cutting ceremony in the upcoming weeks.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_st_clair_times/stclair_news/pell-city-s-tristen-gressett-secures-a-spot-in-american-idols-top-24/article_5763bfea-b50b-11ec-9c07-0bb8f5674efa.html
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Pell City’s Tristen Gressett has made it to American Idol’s final 24, while showing off some of his trademark energy.
On Monday night, Gressett wowed a Los Angeles crowd during the showstopper round with a high-energy rendition of “Come Together” by The Beatles. Gressett, who recently won biggest ham at CEPA’s Spotlight Awards, played to the crowd and, during his finale, on the floor.
“I put it all out there and the audience connected to it,” Gressett said after his performance. “I just hope that the judges do.”
Judge Katy Perry said after the performance that Gressett was definitely playing to the crowd, but initially said Gressett moving on was a maybe. Fellow judge Luke Bryan simply said they would need to see.
After Gressett went in to meet the judges for the results, however, the conversation was much more positive.
Judge Lionel Richie, who has pushed Gressett to learn to sometimes dial back his energy, said he could see the progress he had made.
“You have been a work in progress,” Richie said. “You walk in now and I don’t quite recognize who the heck you are.”
Perry added that Gressett is evolving in real time.
“I think you are actually turning into the artist you always wanted to be,” Richie continued. “I didn't want you to be a gimmick. You found your identity and you are going to be in our top 24.”
Perry also welcomed Gressett into the next stage of the competition.
“Welcome to the freakshow,” she said.
Gressett said that he didn't expect to make it to the next leg of the competition, but that he was glad the judges had seen him become more of himself in the competition.
His mother, Missie Gressett, was on hand to give him a hug after the news.
“All the little gigs and all the places he's played has led to where he is today,” she said. “The world's going to know your name.”
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_daily_home/dh_news/six-local-schools-plan-early-closings-wednesday-because-of-weather/article_d6730b50-b54d-11ec-8780-0bd95f0a8f5f.html
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Due to the threat of inclement weather, the Talladega City and Talladega County School systems will both close at noon Wednesday.
In Sylacauga, Indian Valley and Nichols-Lawson Middle School will also at noon, while Pine Crest and Sylacauga High School will close at 12:15 p.m.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_daily_home/dh_news/sylacauga-city-council-approves-repair-project-of-concrete-streets/article_7378ea10-b54d-11ec-bc90-93308143ea0e.html
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SYLACAUGA — The Sylacauga City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve a city-wide repair project encompassing nearly all of the 33 concrete streets in the city.
Street Superintendent Reed Clafee said bids for the project had been opened March 30, and the low bid had been awarded to Rout Inc. at $373.27 a yard.
The total cost of the project comes to $450,000, with $200,000 each coming from the Special Gasoline Tax Fund and the 4 Cent and 5 Cent Gasoline Tax funds, and the remaining $50,000 coming from the Rebuild Alabama Tax Fund.
According to Council President Lee Perryman, the overall bid was about $100,000 more than what the city had budgeted. City crews, rather than the contractor, will handle some of the jobs to bring the project back into line.
Councilwoman Tiffany Nix said she has a particularly large number of concrete streets in her ward, and asked for a prioritized list, which Calfee said he would provide. Almost all of the city’s concrete streets will receive at least some repairs, however.
Perryman said he knew of at least one street in his district that was paved with concrete in 1948 and had not been resurfaced or repaired since.
“And that’s not the only one,” he added.
Also Monday, the council:
—Heard a report from Commercial Development Authority Director Bryan Taunton regarding a request for an abatement package for a proposed retail business. Perryman said he would have to give the proposal to the city’s finance department to see if it met the standards for abatements and other incentives under state law. The city can provide incentives, Perryman said, but cannot reward a business for something they would do anyway.
—Heard Mayor Jim Heigl announce that this year’s Marble Festival is underway.
—Heard Heigl proclaim April Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month.
—Heard Nix report that a recent cleanup effort had drawn 81 volunteers who collected more than 10,000 pounds of trash.
—Held a public hearing on the requested annexation and zoning of properties on Azalea Road, Lake Joy and Oldfield Road.
—Approved a special use permit that will allow T-Mobile to upgrade a tower on Settlement Road to provide 5G service to the south end of town and along US 280.
—Surplussed property in the police and fire departments for either sale through GovDeals.com or for demolition.
—Approved the hiring of a police officer at higher than the normal entry level paygrade.
—Approved travel and training expenses for personnel in the police and fire departments.
—Agreed to discuss insurance options for retired employees, possibly after getting a recommendation from the city’s department heads. As it stands now, the city pays only three years insurance for retired employees with 25 years of service and an additional month for each additional year of service.
—Got an update on the Lake Howard Bridge Repair project. Some of the specifications of the project had to be changed because of conditions on the ground, but no action was necessary since the council had previously declared this an emergency and authorized the repairs.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/news/anniston/anniston-city-council-hears-about-solar-energy-generation-project/article_389ef39a-b551-11ec-86fb-fb51f833126a.html
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During a work session Tuesday night the Anniston City Council discussed a request for a tax abatement for Anniston Solar, LLC, a company that hopes to build a 80-megawatt “solar farm” at McClellan.
Capable of generating electricity from sunlight, the facility would be on a 950-acre parcel of land that is currently unused and undeveloped, said Ben Ludwig, land use and community relations manager with Southern Current, a solar development company from South Carolina. Anniston Solar LLC is a project owned by Southern Current, Ludwig said.
Ludwig said the capital investment of the solar farm would be $110 million and would employ 250 construction workers; once the project is finished it would employ five people full time.
Ludwig asked the council to consider a total of 20 years of tax abatement for the solar farm.
“Anniston Solar is requesting the abatement of the non-education portion of the sales and use tax, and the non-education ad valorem tax, for 10 years,” Ludwig said.
He said he would also approach the county and the Governor’s Office for an additional 10 years of tax abatement due to the fact the city can’t grant that authority for longer than 10 years.
Ludwig said the total amount of tax available for education purposes during the 20-year abatement period would be $11 million.
The revenue stream from the solar farm would go to the McClellan Development Authority for structural upgrades and for funding industrial recruitment, said Ludwig.
Ludwig said the energy manufactured at the solar farm would go into the transmission grid and distributed by Alabama Power.
MDA director Julie Moss, attending the work session along with MDA board members, was in favor of the solar farm.
“It brings a continuous revenue stream for properties that cannot be developed, you’ve got that revenue stream coming in of which then we can put back into the development of McClellan, and when the MDA is done doing their job of redeveloping out there, then this goes to the city,” Moss said.
No action was taken by the council about the abatement request.
Michael Webb, treasurer with the nonprofit Alabama Law Enforcement Appreciation Foundation, told the council that Law Enforcement Appreciation Week will be May 16-20. The event will include lunch each day for each law enforcement officer in the 7th Judicial District of Calhoun and Cleburne Counties at the Oxford Civic Center Monday through Thursday, and Friday at Centennial Memorial Park in Anniston. Gifts, trips and prizes will also be given to law enforcement. On Friday, May 20, the State Memorial Committee will have a ceremony for the fallen at the Centennial Memorial Park and Gov. Kay Ivey will speak.
During the formal council meeting that followed the work session, the council approved the following:
— A bid for the purchase of battery upgrades for multiple solar-powered trailers for the police department to Vetted Security Solutions in the amount of $31,250.
— Designating Mayor Jack Draper as the official voting delegate and Councilwoman Millie Harris as the 1st Alternate voting delegate during the annual business meeting of the Alabama League of Municipalities held May 11-14, 2022.
— A grant application to the Economic Development Administration under the public works and economic adjustment assistance program. This grant would be used to develop trails at the Anniston Museum and Gardens.
During closing comments the council and mayor expressed their concerns over the rash of fatal drug overdoses in the area.
Councilwoman Ciara Smith said a young woman passed away Monday night from an overdose.
“She left children behind, it does hit home when you have young people, mothers and fathers leaving in this way and children having to bear that burden for so long,” Smith said.
Smith said she hopes and prays the council can find a solution to help law enforcement and create partnerships to get the drugs out of the neighborhoods.
The mayor also echoed the sentiments of the council’s concerns over the situation and was optimistic that a solution can be found.
“We have among the best and best trained police departments and fire departments in this state… I’m confident in their ability working with city staff and us to devise strategies and I know that they’re doing that now and I appreciate that, but it’s clearly something we have to continue to work on and focus on,” Draper said.
Draper also encouraged everyone to come to the Noble Street Festival this Saturday.
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Good morning, Gamecock fans. It’s time for another edition of The Star’s Jacksonville State newsletter.
JSU’s football team continued spring practice under new coach Rich Rodriguez last week. The Gamecocks are scheduled to play their spring game this Saturday.
JSU’s baseball team was swept by Eastern Kentucky over the weekend, and JSU’s softball team lost two out of three at Florida Gulf Coast.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_daily_home/dh_sports/camilla-friday-leads-sylacauga-to-talladega-county-golf-title/article_e754756e-b55f-11ec-9e42-b35c41dc69cd.html
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SYLACAUGA — Sylacauga’s Camilla Friday was the low medalist of the 2022 Talladega County Golf Tournament on Monday at the Sylacauga Country Club. The sophomore shot an 80, which helped Sylacauga defeat Lincoln 307-327.
For Friday, this was her first time earning low medalist of the county tournament.
“She steps up every week, and she blow our mind every week on how well she plays,” Sylacauga coach Mason Black said. “She wants to do nothing but get better. She is always on the course practicing. She does extra things; she goes above and beyond what we ask of her. She’s a great kid and a great role model to our younger kids. Even though she is a sophomore, we have a lot of eighth and ninth graders that she’s a great role model for,”
Even though Friday dominated her competition on Monday, she wasn’t satisfied with how she performed.
“I could have done a lot better,” Friday said. “My three putts were off, but my drives, my fairway shots were consistent today. What helped me throughout the day. It’s just some little decisions that I made today that hurt me on my overall score. I feel like there’s a lot of room for improvement.”
For the last few years, Friday has been following in the footsteps of her sister Madelyn Friday. Last year, the older Friday was the low medalist as she finished with a 79.
“My sister last year was county champion, so I’m glad to finally be county champion and not have my sister to compete with,” Friday said. “I feel like I don’t have as much pressure on me this year with her not being here. It was a lot more fun playing because I didn’t feel that sibling pressure.”
Friday isn’t just following in her sister’s footsteps, but she’s also in the shadow of her father, who played golf at Alabama.
“There is a lot of pressure with it,” she said. “I do want to play college golf. That is a goal of mine. There is pressure having him over me, but it’s also good pressure too because it’s something to go for and get in the LPGA.”
Fayetteville’s Betsy Ray was runner up as low medalist as she shot a 90. Lincoln’s Skylar Hickman finished third with 92.
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SYLACAUGA — Sylacauga High School’s boys golf team won the 2022 Talladega County Golf Tournament at the Sylacauga Country Club on Monday afternoon. The Aggies won with a score of 354. Fayetteville finished second with a score of 435. Lincoln finished third with a score of 463.
“We just had a swagger today,” Sylacauga coach Black said. “It was amazing how my guys went out there and played calm. They shot their best scores of the season (Monday). It was beautiful. I can’t express how proud I am of my guys and girls.”
This is Sylacauga’s seventh straight Talladega County championship.
“It feels awesome, “Black said. “It just means we are still going in the right direction; we are not falling behind. With this being my first season coaching golf, I couldn’t ask for a better bunch or a better school than Sylacauga High School.”
Sylacauga’s Lincoln Kirk was the low medalist as he shot an 86. Kirk was able to edge teammate Ryan Becker who shot a 90.
“My drives were pretty good and I think that’s what got me up there, “Kirk said. “My chipping was awful, and my putts were OK. I think it was my drives that got me up there.”
Kirk credits the work that he put on the driving range for the success that he had on Monday.
“I just fixed my drive,” Kirk said. “I used to slice a lot, so now I just got straight with it, and it has been a lot better with all of my irons.”
Kirk said being the low medalist was one of his goals coming into the tournament.
Black said his young golfer couldn’t hide his emotions after his round.
“You couldn’t wipe that grin off his face when he came down there to tell me his score, he was so excited,” Black said. “I’m very happy for him, especially with him being an eighth-grader. He has many years left, and he’s not going to do anything but get better.”
Kirk is following in his family’s footsteps on the greens. Kirk’s older brother Skyler Kirk was the low medalist of the county tournament a few years ago.
“He was always the best, and I’m not going to be as good as him, but it’s really fun, “Kirk said. “I’m not really following him because my entire family plays golf. My grandfather, my father, my brother play golf, so it’s fun to play with them sometimes.”
Kirk and Becker earned spots on the all-county team. Sylacauga’s Lucas Boozer, who shot a 98, was also named to the all-county team. Fayetteville’s Brody Nowland also earned a spot ont the all-county team after shooting a 101 on Monday.
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Tyler Stephens and Munford High School’s baseball team have high expectations this season. The Lions have hopes of making the Class 4A state championship series. Stephens has played a major role in Munford’s success this season. He has come up big in clutch moments for the Lions. Stephens was named the MVP of the Talladega County big school baseball tournament after getting the game-winning hit in Munford’s 3-1 win over Sylacauga.
Hitting has been a strength for Stephens this season. Last season’s Talladega County pitcher of the year has been on a tear this season. The senior is hitting .500 for the season with 21 runs scored and 17 RBIs.
Stephens has worked hard to become a better hitter, and he hopes hitting will help the Lions accomplish their team goals as well as some personal goals that he set for himself.
Stephens took a few minutes to answer questions about himself and the season.
Q: You have gotten off to a good start this season. What’s helped you perform at a high level this season at the plate?
A: I never imagined that I would be doing this good. It’s my senior year so I’m trying to grind out every at-bat that I can and help my team in every way that I can. This year has really surprised me because I have been known to struggle. I think a lot of it has to do with coaching. I have been more coachable this year and I have focused on what the coaches have been telling me. I thrive for moments like the county championship. I like being put in pressure situations like that. I want to be that guy that comes through in those moments.
Q: If you had one snack to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: Reese’s Pieces. I’m a big peanut butter fan and I like chocolate. Reese’s Pieces combines both of them.
Q: What’s one special talent you wish you had?
A: I’ve always wanted to have the ability to fly.
Q: Do you have anything you consider a good-luck charm?
A: Ninety percent of the time in my games I have a quarter and a penny in my pocket. That’s my good luck charm. It started back in travel ball. We were playing in a showcase tournament and in my first at-bat, I hit a triple. Ever since then I have been doing it.
Q: The weather is warming up. What’s your favorite spring activity besides baseball?
A: Turkey hunting. I got into turkey hunting because of my daddy. He got me into hunting and fishing. He started me out in it and I have really enjoyed it. We went one time and the turkey was gobbling. It really gives you an adrenaline rush. You have to sit there and be still. That’s my favorite springtime activity.
Q: How do you make school fun?
A: I try to go in there and make people laugh. I laugh at my buddies, but at the same time, I get my work done because that’s my main priority at school. I’m a senior so I only have six or seven weeks left. I’m trying to enjoy it because you never get to go back to high school.
Q: If you could travel anywhere you wanted, where would you go?
A: Cape Cod. That’s where a bunch of major league teams do their spring training. I would love to go out there.
Q: What is something you have learned as a senior that you did not know in previous years?
A: Don’t take your high school experience for granted because it’s really starting to hit me. I don’t get another chance at high school after this year. Don’t take your freshman, sophomore, junior year for granted. You think it’s going to last forever but it won’t. I’ve learned not to take it for granted.
Q: Why do you wear jersey No. 7?
A: It has a special meaning behind it. My pawpaw wore No. 27. My uncle and my dad wore No. 7 their whole life. To me, it’s a lucky number. Since my dad wore it and all the people before me that I respect that have set a good life example for me, so I figured I would pay them respect. I wanted to keep the tradition going and I’m pretty sure my brother will keep it going next year. It has a special meaning behind it.
Q: What are three things you couldn’t live without?
A: God, family, baseball. If I didn’t have those in my life I don’t know what I would do.
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SYLACAUGA —Sylacauga keeper Dexter Tai doesn’t play like most of his peers, in fact, he can’t.
“I just hate standing in one spot for most of the game,” Tai said. “I just hate standing in one spot in general. I like to move, stay focused. That helps me keep focused, like just moving around and helping out.”
It’s not just that Tai finds it impossible to keep still no matter what side of the field the ball is on, it is how the senior moves. Tai makes it all look so effortless as he glides around the box, but it also feels directionless at times.
Heck, maybe it is directionless, movement for movement’s sake. Tai’s high school keeper experience before this season is limited to a handful of games on the junior varsity squad last year when the starter got hurt late in the season.
Either way, it’s working as the Aggies (7-3-2) have held five of their last eight opponents to one goal or less. Tai recorded 68 saves overall this season and led Sylacauga’s defense to four shutouts.
“He makes me laugh on the daily,” Sylacauga coach Billy Faircloth said. “I teach in him class too, and his personality comes through in his gameplay. It is uptempo, doesn’t take a lot to heart.”
Faircloth also praised Tai’s athleticism and speed, both of which were on full display in the final minutes of Sylacauga’s 2-1 victory at Lincoln on March 1. The Golden Bears had a player line up halfway between the center of the goal and the right post on a late corner kick.
The intent was to interfere with Tai’s line of sight and give Lincoln the option to score quickly off a header if the ball flew closer to the goal. Others might have moved to anticipate the ensuing shot, but not Tai.
He had bigger ambitions.
“We all was tired,” Tai said. “Our defense was tired. Some was mentally tired. So, when the dude kicked it, it was coming, and I had flashed in front of one of the shade guys and caught it.”
Effectively sealing the win there is one of Tai’s favorite moments this season. To his coach, it’s just another reminder of the keeper’s athleticism.
“That ball was hit, it wasn’t a floater (or) a slow ball, it got hit with some pace,” Faircloth said. “And Dexter, we are talking about closing a three-yard gap and getting around (the opposing player). So he just naturally, he watched flight of the ball, and he took off. He comes around and over the kid, and he grabs it out of the air, and it is probably an easy flick with the head or chest into the goal that he stole that moment from them.”
Early surprises
When Sylacauga’s players voted on captains, three of the four top vote-getters came as no shock to Faircloth. The head coach was surprised to see Tai, essentially a first-year varsity player who held a reserve role on the varsity squad for a few games last season, finish inside the top four by a wide margin.
“They saw that he was lighthearted, wasn’t berating, (was) encouraging people. … and he’s personable,” Faircloth said. “He’s a likable kid, and they gravitate to hang out and talk to Dexter a lot.”
So not only was Tai expected to call shots from the goal as a newcomer but now he was expected to serve as one of the team’s four captains. It was all a bit much at first.
“At first, I didn’t know none of the guys that played varsity,” Tai said. “Like the seniors now that are playing, this is my first year actually playing with them because four of them have been on varsity since they were actually a freshman, and the other three I had played JV with them sophomore year.”
Both Faircloth and Tai agree that it took the senior about five games to settle comfortably into the vocal role he needed to embrace. Perhaps equally important, Faircloth said leadership position hadn’t changed him like it had some captains in the past.
“It didn’t phase him,” the coach said. “He just grins ear-to-ear, feels like it is an honor, appreciative. He just goes and plays because he likes this team and likes being a part of it.”
Rocky Start
Of course, the season hasn’t always been such a positive experience for Tai. The Aggies lost two of their first four matches and forced a draw in another in part because the defense gave up 13 goals in those three contests.
“I was nervous,” Tai said, recalling his first start against Holtville on Feb. 8. “I had made a few bad decisions that game that cost us goals to go in, but since I have learned from those mistakes and stopped some of those. I started judging the ball very well, started timing, my timing has got better.”
The Aggies forced a draw that day in part because of how well Tai played in the second half.
Between Feb. 15 and March 14, the Aggies went 5-0-1. Then defending 4A-5A champion Indian Springs paid the Aggies a visit and handed them an 8-0 defeat on March 15.
“I didn’t sub him,” Faircloth said. “I let him stay in the whole eight goals because I wanted to see, it was a character moment, what mentality, and then he turned around and had a great game at Talladega. He kinda shook it off real quick.”
In the 8-1 win over the Tigers on March 17, Tai showed no signs that he was coming off his worst performance.
“The confidence in himself to make the save or catch a ball in the air, and he’s looking,” Faircloth said. “He’s immediately thinking, where can I distribute.”
Almost every time Tai caught the ball or recorded a save against the Tigers he sprinted forward almost like he was going to join his teammates in the field. Then without breaking stride, he’d roll the ball like a bowling ball to one of the other Aggies, and they’d push the ball downfield.
In the past, Faircloth would have instructed his keeper to hold the ball back for a bit while his players reset. However, the Aggies said goodbye to a huge senior class last year. This team's experience and skill set require a more aggressive approach, which makes Tai a perfect fit for this group.
“If we can quickly get a counter-attack we’ve got numbers, and now they are chasing us. … When you’ve got him as athletic as he is, and he will pick a ball up and sprint forward, you saw it in Talladega, if he picks it up, even if he is not going to distribute if he sprints forward, they all are panicked and running back,” Faircloth said. “So it keeps people honest, and it keeps him on their heels. Because we want people to feel like we can pressure them too.”
Faircloth is quick to admit the new aggressive style of play hasn’t always worked out for the Aggies this season, but the coach hopes it will prove to be the difference in the postseason.
Speaking of which, Sylacauga still controls its destiny in Class 4A-5A Area 6, and the Aggies will kick off the first of four consecutive area opponents at home on Monday against Shelby County at 7 p.m.
Tai shut out Shelby County the last time the two teams met on March 7, and Faircloth hopes he can record a few more before his time as an Aggie runs out.
“We all are just like man, if you had him another year,” Faircloth said. “If he was at this point at the beginning of the year, where would he be now? There’s a lot of upside to him, and you hate to lose him so quickly because we are back to the drawing board.”
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Area residents explored the delights of fantasy and role-playing Saturday at “Annicon,” an Anniston event that typically caters to enthusiasts of anime or Japanese culture, but encompasses much of pop culture in general, such as music, gaming, movies and the like.
The event originated in 2012 as an educational exercise of the Public Library of Anniston and Calhoun County and library; it was canceled in 2021 due to the pandemic. It returned Saturday as kids and adults alike donned their handmade costumes and kooky gear of their favorite characters, some even dyeing their hair to complete the costume. Amy Roberts and Logan Nelson, for example, were dressed to the nines with their interpretation of a Mad Hatter costume and Mono from the game Little Nightmares II.
Although the event was held this particular year in Zinn Park, rather than the City Meeting Center, masks and vaccination cards or a negative COVID-19 test were mandatory for entrance. Those were, however, stipulations attendees didn’t seem to mind, according to Annicon staff member Kelley Barkwell.
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TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY -- Alabama Tourism Director Lee Sentell told a group of civic and political leaders Tuesday he predicts that Alabama will “kick butt” when the numbers are compiled for this year’s tourism statistics.
Sentell appeared at a regional tourism meeting at Talladega Superspeedway sponsored by Alabama Power, Jacksonville State University, and the famed NASCAR track.
Attendees had been invited from the six counties which form the east central Alabama region. They were the guests of one of the state’s major attractions to hear and share ideas of how they might better utilize and advertise the tourism amenities the area has to offer.
“I have never seen so many bright minds focused in the same direction in a long time,” Sentell said.
The 20-year director of the state’s tourism department then committed to funding a website for each of the six counties in the region.
Sentell said the state recently spent $10 million on an advertising campaign which ran everywhere except in Alabama, and ads for each individual county were also produced during that process.
“We now have a data bank of pictures larger than we have ever had before and we can contribute to the content of those web sites,” he said.
Sentell shared data showing that during COVID-19, Alabama was fifth in the least losses for tourism.
“A good part of the reason for that is because of what is in your counties,” said Sentell, who grew up in Clay County. “People said they didn’t want to go to the big cities. They wanted to go outdoors where they can ski or just have a picnic. That is what this part of Alabama owns.”
Sentell said he disagreed with a projection that by 2026, the state will see tourism numbers at the pre-pandemic levels. He believes it will happen sooner.
“I think, this year, Alabama is going to set a record for the most money that has ever been spent in tourism in this state,” he said. “Right now, it looks like we are within 2 percent of where we were in our peak year and we’re having better weather this spring than in previous years. So, we’re going to kick butt when the full economic report is put together.”
He described the state of Alabama as “having what people want.”
“You go to Cheaha and look at car tags, and most are going to say Georgia,” Sentell said. “You talk to real estate business around lakes in east Alabama, they will say these are Atlanta people buying east Alabama and the economy in real estate is going to be strong in this area. We have what people want now. This region has what people want now.”
He expressed his enthusiasm for Main Street programs now underway in many towns and the redevelopment of historic theaters.
“We have the assets that make people comfortable to come to this part of the state,” Sentell said.
He also noted visitors from across the country are “filling up our state parks,” and took the opportunity to request support for the State Parks Amendment, which will appear on the May 24 primary election ballot. Approval of the amendment would greenlight a bond issue that would finance state park renovations by modernizing the state’s park services with the addition of new services and amenities.
“We all win when we invest more in our state parks,” Sentell said.
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LINCOLN — Susan Moore was ranked No. 14 in the state by the coaches' poll, regardless of classification, when Lincoln defeated the Bulldogs 1-0 on the road on March 17. Susan Moore previously defeated Lincoln 2-1 on Feb. 19 and beat the Golden Bears twice last season by a combined score of 9-3.
The victory should have led to the biggest celebration of the season for Makiah Swain. Instead, the senior's frustrations over defensive breakdowns, Susan Moore recorded 10 shots on goal, soured the experience a bit.
"It frustrated me," Swain said. "But afterwards, knowing that some of my teammates were frustrated because I was frustrated, it kind of got to me."
As a backline defender, Swain's name rarely rings out during the games, yet she is the one most of her teammates take their cues from during practices and games.
"She is the most influential player on our team," Lincoln coach William Bailey said. "When her energy is right, I feel like we can play with anybody."
Her postgame conversation with Lincoln's captains forced Swain to take a hard look in the mirror following the victory over Susan Moore (15-3).
The next afternoon Swain went to get advice from Lincoln coach William Bailey's wife, Tammy Bailey.
"She does have some frustration that game, some frustration with herself, frustrations with her teammates before the game, frustrations with her teammates during the game," Tammy Bailey said. "And like you said, I do think that game was a big wake-up call for her because I think she is starting to realize the influence that she has on other people."
Pressure and Personality
The power Swain has over a typical practice is nothing new. All the coaches and players recognize it.
"Her kind of attitude, I guess, is contagious," Lincoln captain Addison Woodruff said. "If she's happy, everybody is happy, if she's outgoing, everybody is outgoing. We know if she's on her game, which is the majority of the time, everybody else is going to be on their game. We can look to her to kind of cheer us up, to kind of make our day better, and she always does."
Tammy Bailey described Swain's personality as both "outgoing" and "captivating." Her husband struggled to find the exact words that best fit Swain's impact on her peers.
"There is just certain people that have a certain presence," William Bailey said. They walk in a room, and they have that ability to either bring that whole room together or shut that whole room down. She is one of those people with a big presence. … I think when her energy is right, they just feed off it, and it really helps carry us with momentum."
Swain said receiving that level of respect from her teammates gives her a great deal of satisfaction and energy. Of course, as with any power, Swain's role as the team's battery comes with a great deal of responsibility.
"It definitely puts pressure on me," Swain said. "Because we have got into some bumps on the road this year where I have had a bad day, and I've seen it's affected my team, and maybe one or two girls will come up and ask me what is wrong, and I have to realize that they are looking at how my energy level is today."
Woodruff said she recognizes the burden that puts on Swain, who serves as a role model not only on the soccer field but also throughout the halls during the school day. She tries to watch out for Swain and pick her up when she's having an off day.
"Myself and a few others, if we see that, we will go up to her and make sure she's okay," Woodruff said. "Try to cheer her up, tell a joke, tell her that she looks amazing today, just because we know she affects the whole team."
Moving Forward
Lincoln beat Susan Moore without leading goal scorer Adyson Hendrix who scored 39 of the team's 66 goals and assisted on 13 others, but the Golden Bears head coach felt the team needed to shake things up if the team was going to prevail against Carroll Ozark, the No. 8 team in 4-5A, on Friday.
"Felt like Makiah was going to give us the best chance to score just with her speed and her aggressive to the ball and the fact she just wins a lot of loose balls," William Bailey said. "Felt like we could probably play pretty good defense behind her."
In the past, Swain spent most of her time at either right-back or center-back, but Bailey moved her to forward against Carroll Ozark, a team that was 7-1-1 when the game began.
"You're trusting me to go up top and fill Addyson Hendrix's shoes," Swain said. "And at first, I was a little nervous, but at the end, my coach asked me to do something, and I delivered for him."
Swain scored her second goal of the season to secure a 1-0 victory over Carroll Ozark after sophomore Emi Nabors passed 10 yards upfield to Swain from the 50-yard line. Swain beat one defender and outran the other three chasing her to finish with a goal scored over the diving keeper.
"It felt amazing," Swain said. "Like with my team by my side to boost me and congratulate me and run up to me after my goal."
After her big score, Bailey left Swain up top for 10 more minutes before moving her to the backline for another 10 minutes. The coach kept rotating her like that throughout the game.
"It is not easy to switch those mindsets from being an outside back to a center-back to a forward back to outside back to a center-back," Bailey said. "There is a lot of different hats to put on in a game, and she handled it flawlessly. She didn't question it, she didn't hesitate. She said alright let's do it and made it happen."
The coach said Swain's position would largely depend on matchups over the coming weeks as the Golden Bears wait on Hendrix to recover from her pulled hamstring.
While the goal meant a lot, the coach was equally proud of how Swain handled herself during the tough moments.
"Friday night's game was putting some frustration aside, moving on," Bailey said. "And just playing, controlling what she could control. It was a huge step forward for her to let that be released and just move on and not be in her own head."
It didn't go unnoticed by her peers either.
"She completely let go, she looked, she felt confident in the game, I think," Woodruff said. "She was able to just let go, feel confident, and I think she trusted all of her teammates to do what they were supposed to do, so she felt comfortable doing what she was supposed to do."
Despite the glowing review from her teammates and coaches, Swain said she did feel frustration rising inside when Carroll recorded 17 shots on goal.
However, this time she thought back to her conversations with Tammy Bailey. So, instead of focusing on the mistakes she made or any missteps from her teammates, Swain said she encouraged her teammates to keep their energy up for another 10 minutes. Focusing on the positive seemed to suck all of the anger right out of her lungs.
While it required some tough conversations at times, Swain said the close-knit bond between the Golden Bears has made this her favorite season ever. Now the senior just hopes she can end her career with the type of ending normally reserved for children's books or the movies.
"I definitely feel like we came out with confidence knowing that one of our top players wasn't in the game, and we still dominated," Swain said of the recent victories. "So I guess we have the mindset of now that we've gotten better in these two games. When Adyson comes back, we're going to be much better than we were before. So I feel that everybody feels great about the season."
William Bailey said he hopes these wins will give all of his players the confidence to know they belong in the conversation with the best teams in the state, especially once the team's not-so-secret weapon returns.
"I remember the frustration and the tears on her (Hendrix's) face," Bailey said. "I told her this will be an opportunity for us. This could be good for us, or it could be really bad. But the hope is that somebody steps up, or that multiple people step up, in her abscence and if they do then we're that much stronger. I think the biggest takeaway from those games is everybody stepped up top to bottom."
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The first of five political forums organized by the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce Public Affairs Committee is scheduled to be held Thursday, April 7, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Anniston City Meeting Center.
Thursday’s event will feature the candidates seeking election to the Calhoun County Commission and is open to the public.
The forums are being held in conjunction with the Calhoun County Democratic Party, the Calhoun County Republican Party and the Cheaha Republican Women’s Club.
The Anniston Star is also a co-sponsor and plans to provide a live, streaming feed of Thursday’s forum on Facebook Live.
James Mullinax, chairman of the Chamber’s Public Affairs committee, said the goals of hosting the forums are to provide a fair and equitable chance to candidates to address the issues and allow voters the chance to go to the polls with better information about the candidates and issues under consideration.
“These questions were chosen from those submitted by voters and crafted by a balanced panel of three people — one holding a Republican philosophy, one with a Democratic philosophy, and one with a more moderate view,” Mullinax said. “These questions have been designed in a way that represents countywide issues which affect every county resident — not any specific area or region — and that forces the necessity of an answer to the question. The questions will demand an answer and a position.”
Four other forums have been scheduled by the Chamber over the next several weeks.
Candidates for the state Senate seat have been invited to participate Thursday, April 21, at the Oxford Civic Center beginning at 5:30 p.m.
U.S. Senate candidates have been invited to participate Monday, April 25, at the Oxford Civic Center beginning at 5: 30 p.m.
District 40 state House candidates have been invited to participate Tuesday, April 26, at the Jacksonville Community Center beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Candidates for the state House District 29 seat have been invited to participate Tuesday, May 10, at the Piedmont High School cafeteria beginning at 5:30 p.m.
“I’ve always said voting is not just a privilege,” Mullinax added. “It’s an obligation you must take seriously, because of the people who gave their lives in order to provide the freedom to choose who leads us. If you don’t take the time to educate yourself about the candidates and the issues before you vote, you are letting those people down who gave their lives in order to give you that opportunity.”
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A dramatic increase in the number of local drug overdoses and associated deaths has prompted Calhoun County officials to issue stronger-than-usual warnings about the danger of using street drugs.
Officials are also trying to track down the source or sources of the “bad dope” believed to have contributed to at least five deaths in Calhoun County in the past seven days.
Anniston Police Department issued a statement last Friday that said it had received “almost 10” overdose calls in a 24-hour period, with APD Chief Nick Bowles later specifying it had received a total of seven — one of those resulting in death. However, an additional three overdose calls, one involving a death, were made over the weekend, according to Bowles.
“We are learning that among these cases, several of the victims believed they were purchasing and planning to use cocaine and were instead given an unknown amount of what is suspected to be fentanyl,” the release stated.
This number of drug overdose-related deaths is significantly higher than seen in recent history, according to Calhoun County Coroner Pat Brown and data presented by Calhoun County’s Agency for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP).
ASAP worked in conjunction with Brown and District Attorney Brian McVeigh to gather information from the electronic death registry system (EDRS) and calculate a statistic for 2021. Those statistics showed 29 overall drug overdose deaths for the entire year of 2021.
However, Calhoun County overall has had five drug overdose related deaths in the past seven days — four since Friday alone, according to Brown.
“It's becoming increasingly apparent that we’re seeing an uptick in overdoses, particularly with fentanyl,” “And for every death, there’s probably four overdoses that you don’t see.”
Unofficial ASAP data for the year of 2022 accounts for a total of 10 overdose deaths since the beginning of January — with five of those occurring earlier this year and that number doubling in a matter of days.
In reference to the sheer volume of deaths occurring from this deadly batch, Brown said it “makes me believe for a lack of a better term, you’ve got some pretty bad dope out there. Not that there’s any good dope but you know what I’m saying.”
McVeigh said he gets calls from the coroner on overdose deaths particularly when there's been a bad batch of heroin or cocaine to circulate in the community
“When you see a large group of them you are going to see more, because that substance is out there,” McViegh said.
McVeigh said due to the influx of calls regarding overdoses and drug overdose-related deaths he has received in the past few weeks, he has reached out to area law enforcement agencies to encourage them to locate a source of the dangerous substances.
“They are actively looking for a source,” McVeigh said.
A bad batch, McVeigh explained, is one in which there is an additional substance that the buyer is unaware of. The addict — who is accustomed to using a certain amount of the substance they are addicted to — would typically buy the amount they’re used to and be “relatively fine,” McVeigh said. That same addict who purchased from a bad batch would then take something cut with substances like fentanyl or carfentanil and therefore be subject to the danger of the much stronger additive.
“Fentanyl is very very potent, and carfentanil is basically elephant tranquilizer. Literally,” McVeigh said. “A single grain of that stuff is enough to put somebody down.”
McVeigh said when carfentanil is mixed with another substance, not every dose necessarily gets the same ratio of ingredients — the way drugs are combined under professional, legal settings. Instead, one customer’s dose might get a tenth of a grain, while another might have much more.
“It’s not done under laboratory conditions, and it's just inherently dangerous to have a controlled substance and then to mix something else on top of that,” McVeigh said.
Seyram Selase, executive director of Calhoun County’s ASAP, said the agency has used the EDRS system to pinpoint and better target its prevention efforts by learning what specific drugs people are using to cause the overdose.
“With that, we are trying to sound the alarm in the community to let people know that these street drugs are now designed to kill,” Selase said.
Selase, in conjunction with Brown and McVeigh, discussed a counteractive drug known as naloxone and sold under the brand name Narcan. Selase said Narcan instantly reacts with the overdosed drug in the user’s system — particularly prescription drugs, but it also acts on heroin — to prevent the person from dying of the overdose. The Jefferson County Public Health Department gives away Narcan kits to anyone seeking them after watching a seven-minute video. Those seeking more information can visit http://Jcdh.org/SitePages/Programs-Services/CommunityHealth/SubstanceUseAndAddiction/NaloxoneTraining
Through the district attorney, Selase said ASAP learned of the Good Samaritan law, where a person who might be using drugs with someone who might be overdosing can call for help without the fear of prosecution themselves.
“Do the right thing — call 911 or have these Narcan kits on hand so you can save that friend’s or loved one’s life,” Selase said.
In addition to alerting the public of the highly dangerous nature of current street drugs, Selase said he urges anyone who might be struggling with drug addiction to reach out to his agency’s program by calling 256-831-4436 or visiting asaprev.com. ASAP is also hosting a national prescription drug takeback day on April 23, at which community members can bring any expired prescription medication and have it safely disposed of.
“We encourage all community members to reach out to us at Agency for Substance Abuse Prevention — we are trying to prevent any more deaths, senseless deaths like this in our county and in our community,” Selase said.
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The Anniston Regional Airport received total rainfall of 1.45 inches Tuesday.
More is on the way.
National Weather Service says hazardous conditions are likely for this afternoon and evening, with the main threats being damaging wind and hail, “though a tornado or two cannot be ruled out.”
ABC 33/40 meteorologist James Spann was reporting forecasts placed the Calhoun County under “enhanced risk” cautions for the Wednesday weather.
Spann said the models showing that the cold front, which could cause the extreme weather, will begin to cross the state around 3 p.m. and approaching the area by 6 p.m.
Thursday and Friday will be dry, but cooler temperatures are forecast for the weekend with lows dropping below 40 degrees by early Saturday morning. Saturday’s daytime forecast calls for sunshine but a high around 60, so visitors to the Noble Street Festival and the Sunny King Criterium bike races might want to toss on a jacket. Sunday will be sunny and warmer.
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April 6, 1947, in The Star: According to a prominent advertisement, the national H. J. Heinz company promises that for every package of baby food American mothers buy during the current week, it will send one free package of baby food to Europe to help nourish the hungry infants there. This is on top of an outright gift of one million packages of baby food the company already sent abroad. According to the ad, “This much needed food will be distributed in Europe by the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker relief organization. The Committee will allot the Baby Food to the neediest children regardless of nationality, race or religion.” Also this date: This week’s profile of a leading Anniston industry focuses on Anniston Manufacturing, which uses 24,000 bales of raw cotton every year to produce a steady stream of cloth. F. O. Tyler is president of the corporation, which was founded May 24, 1880, and currently employs nearly 600. It boasts more than 22,000 spindles and within the next two months will have more than 25,000.
April 6, 1997, in The Star: The Internal Revenue Service is thinking about closing its Anniston office as part of a cost-reduction program. Local accountants say the move would make it more difficult to get tax forms and would require professional tax preparers to drive long distances to get information they need to keep the clients’ tax debts square with the law. The IRS is reviewing all its offices with fewer than 15 employees with an eye toward consolidating services. Also this date: Jack Blair, who lost his wife in the Goshen tornado three years ago, has set up a weather survey system that he hopes will give people better warning when severe weather approaches. It’s a video camera mounted high above the surrounding woodlands of Cherokee County, not far from his house. At his own expense Blair had workers install a 190-foot tower on a mountaintop and plans to have a camera installed that will pan the surrounding countryside on command, operated by remote control. Blair, 68, is a ham radio operator, so he knows his way around wires and electronic signals.
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The Anniston Regional Airport received total rainfall of 1.45 inches Tuesday.
More is on the way.
National Weather Service says hazardous conditions are likely for this afternoon and evening, with the main threats being damaging wind and hail, “though a tornado or two cannot be ruled out.”
ABC 33/40 meteorologist James Spann was reporting forecasts placed the Calhoun County under “enhanced risk” cautions for the Wednesday weather.
Spann said the models showing that the cold front, which could cause the extreme weather, will begin to cross the state around 3 p.m. and approaching the area by 6 p.m.
Thursday and Friday will be dry, but cooler temperatures are forecast for the weekend with lows dropping below 40 degrees by early Saturday morning. Saturday’s daytime forecast calls for sunshine but a high around 60, so visitors to the Noble Street Festival and the Sunny King Criterium bike races might want to toss on a jacket. Sunday will be sunny and warmer.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/news/state-house-district-40-gayla-blanton-sees-problems-that-need-addressing/article_c4cd1064-b5be-11ec-8147-fb9e34bfe102.html
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Several years ago, Calhoun County resident Gayla Blanton and a friend felt the Christian values that they believed made America great were eroding.
The two began praying that those whom they perceived to be more godly men and women would seek political office; that’s when Blanton felt God seemed to ask her why she didn’t run. She decided she would.
Blanton is a Cleburne County native who has taught at Fruithurst Elementary School for the past three years.
Before that, she taught for two years in Calhoun County, then she went to Georgia and retired after teaching there 11 years.
Blanton and her husband, Russell, have been foster parents for the past 11 years. Their two children, Kennis Johnson, who is married to Regan Johnson, and John Blanton, who is married to Holly, have given the couple six grandchildren.
One of Blanton’s biggest concerns is the spread of illegal drug use, which she said has increased the burden of the Department of Human Resources. As a foster parent, she knows the effect drug use is having on children.
“Data shared by the Alabama Department of Mental Health shows that drug overdoses increased more than 20 percent in Alabama in 2020,” Blanton said, adding that illegal drug abuse also affects law enforcement officers.
“I am concerned because of the increased number of attacks against them,” Blanton said, “and the most often unfair portrayal of them in the news media. They are vital to the safety and security of our citizens. Without our law enforcement, we would have anarchy on our streets, as we’ve seen in other parts of the country.”
Blanton knows several law enforcement officers who need the legislators’ support to remove illegal drug activity from Alabama.
“According to statistics from the Alabama 2021 Drug Threat Assessment, the interstates in Alabama provide a ‘close direct connection to Atlanta,’ which is still considered one of the main distribution points for illegal drugs in the Southeast.” Blanton said.
More support from the population in general, she said, will help with recruitment and retention of officers.
Blanton supports the farming community. She is concerned about the amount of Alabama farmlands purchased by foreign countries, such as China, which now owns Smithfield Farms, a large meat-processing company.
“This purchase was achieved through the Chinese financial entity called WH Group,” Blanton said. “Some of the land purchased by the Chinese has been used in such a way that adjacent landowners’ wells and springs are going dry.”
Blanton said the U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics show 1.8 million acres of farmland in Alabama is now owned by foreign countries. She worries about the effect this will have on the U.S. food supply in the future.
Also, Blanton believes farmers are unfairly taxed.
“Currently, they pay a 1.5 percent sales tax on farm equipment,” she said. “Farmers in the nearby states of Florida, Georgia and Tennessee are exempt from taxes like this.”
Legislators could help farmers “make adequate and effective legislative adjustments.”
The Rev. Cody Hale, Blanton’s minister for the past eight years at Iron City Baptist church, spoke well of the candidate.
“Gayla is an honorable person known for integrity, kindness sincerity,” Hale said. “Everyone I know of who has been close to her is inspired and encouraged by her.”
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Jacksonville State's softball game against Alabama in Albertville has been canceled.
The inaugural Sand Mountain Showdown at the new Sand Mountain Park was set for March 30 but was postponed to today because of weather. The forecast is no better for today, as storms are expected to sweep through the state this evening.
"Unfortunately, the weather is unpredictable, and the safety of everyone involved is at the forefront of our concern," read a statement released by the park.
No mutual date for Jacksonville State and Alabama is available for this spring, according to Sand Mountain Park news release.
According to a JSU spokesman, both schools are willing to reschedule during the fall season, which usually is in October. If fans want to hold onto their tickets, they will be good for that game.
Ticketholders may also request a refund by visiting this link: Refund.
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A chance of some strong thunderstorms. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. High 79F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..
Tonight
Thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 47F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
“The Final Case,” David Guterson’s new novel, seems for its first half to be a courtroom thriller in the fashion of, say, John Grisham. Then it makes an abrupt turn, becoming a totally satisfying novel of a surprisingly different kind.
Anyone who has read Guterson’s “Snow Falling on Cedars,” his 1994 debut novel, will welcome this new one — his first book in nearly a decade — as he returns to another courtroom in his beloved American northwest.
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Chefs, gardeners, herbalists and witches all admire and use herbs — whether it’s to flavor food, cure an ailment or create a magic potion.
Clemson Cooperative Extension describes herbs as “plants that are grown for their medicinal, aromatic and seasoning uses. Most herbs are herbaceous annuals or perennials.” My lavender and my rosemary, both perennials, grew into shrubs and are a beautiful and fragrant addition to the landscape.
“Spices are the flowers, fruit, seeds, bark, and roots typical of tropical plants and range from brown to black to red in color,” according to Pennsylvania Extension. Some herbs produce both an herb and a spice. For example, we eat dill weed and dill seeds.
Interest in herbs goes back centuries: The Arab merchants traveled by animals through India, China, and Southeastern Asia on the incense route to provide spices to the Greeks.
The popularity of herbs continued to grow as the use of them spread through the civilized world. According to Penn State Extension, from 1990 to 1994, an average of 530 million pounds of herbs valued at $373 million were brought into the United States.
The United States produces about 200 billion pounds of herbs and spices per year. Besides being used in foods, herbs are sought after ingredients for beauty products. I am attracted to the delightful and calming scent of lavender and seek items which list it as an ingredient.
Get started growing herbs
Many purchase herbs from their local grocers or from upscale herbal stores hoping to get the freshest product. I often reach for jars labeled organic (which seem to be getting more shelf space).
It is easy to get the tastiest selections right outside our own doors. Homeowners are becoming more interested in growing their own herbs and creating edible gardens. Growing herbs is easy, inexpensive, and can be done in a space as small as a container. Specially-constructed structures to use for herb-growing are easy to find and a handsome addition to any home garden. Even a patio or a balcony can hold an herb garden.
Herbs make interesting additions to a mixed border or a flower bed. Some can stand perfectly on their own as part of a landscape.
My sister has a handsome herb garden box known as a kitchen garden, built as part of her house outside the kitchen window. She could almost reach out and pinch off the herbs for the evening meal.
Benefits for pollinators
Herbs that flower — such as basil — provide nectar and pollen for pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The bees gather around basil flowers. Many people regularly pinch the blooms off their basil. Simple solution: plant extra. I keep the flowers removed to heighten the flavor on some plants, and on others, I leave the flowers for the pollinators.
Planting lots of flat leaf parsley allows the swallowtail butterfly caterpillars to munch as much as they want (and maybe leave a bit for the cook). The caterpillars will literally eat the parsley to the ground. Herbs such as bronze fennel provide the support structures butterfly caterpillars need to attach the chrysalis.
Another exceptional pollinator herb is pineapple sage. It can reach four feet or more tall.
Charming red flowers attract the pollinators and the leaves smell like pineapple when crushed. It is a must-have in a sunny garden. I am especially fond of pineapple sage with chartreuse leaves, but there are also green-leaved ones. It is “a lucky perennial” — some years it comes back and other years it does not.
Should you have the room in your landscape for an in-ground herb garden, it is as beautiful as it is useful. Herbs are not tough to grow. Just a few simple guidelines will help the gardener produce a tasty crop.
Growing conditions
To thrive, herbs need full sun (at least six hours), well-drained soil (as most other plants do) and they prefer dry summers. Herbs are not partial to clay soil or high humidity. We can not do much about summer’s high humidity; we can, however, prepare great soil before we plant our beds. If your soil can not be amended to suit your herbs, plant them in a raised bed. It is even possible to buy the makings of a raised herb bed on the internet.
Herbs can fall victim to aphids and spider mites (especially in dry weather). A nice stream of water can help keep these insects at bay.
With the right amount of sunlight, herbs produce more fragrant oils. Parsley and basil seem to like a bit of shade. Mint is happier in some shade.
Very few herbs like wet soil. Mint, however, really enjoys a wet place such as under a dripping faucet or in a place where water collects. Watch out as it will readily spread.
It is no surprise that herbs flourish in well-amended soil, whether in the ground or a raised bed. It is a good idea to check your soil’s pH level to make sure it is good for your herbs — a pH of 6 to 7 is good.
Planting procedure
Herbs such as basil, parsley, coriander, cilantro and dill (and many others) can be sowed directly into the soil as seeds. I have also planted my basil as a transplant. When planting basil, wait until the last frost has passed.
Parsley and cilantro can handle the cold weather and actually do better planted in the fall. I added sage and curly parsley to my pansy containers for that special something. Cilantro tends to bolt in the warm weather.
Transplants of most herbs can also be planted in the spring. Check the labels for temperature extremes. Perennial herbs do well planted in the spring as seeds or transplants.
A word of caution: Mint can be aggressive to the point of being invasive. If you plant mint, be sure to confine it or you will have mint for your entire community. Years ago, chocolate mint ran over an entire flower bed. It did smell delightful, though.
If planting seeds is not your choice, the big box stores and garden centers will have a large array of herbs in transplant form. Look over the plants carefully to make certain your plants are not leggy or yellow or have insects. They should be compact and a nice shade of healthy green.
Water and mulch
Herbs are fairly drought tolerant, but they must have moisture to grow. Like other plants, herbs should be watered well, allowed to dry out and watered again. Keep an eye on the water level, especially in the heat of the summer.
Herbs should be mulched. Mulch helps conserve water, moderates soil temperature, keeps the soil from crusting and keeps stray weeds from popping off. I use pine bark mulch to top off my containers. It not only keeps the surface from drying out, but it is also aesthetically pleasing.
Clemson University suggests a one- to two-inch mulch of pea gravel for herbs that do not like excessive moisture. I plan to try that with my lavender this summer.
Since I use high-grade potting soil, I do not use much in the way of fertilizers on my herbs. For an in-ground garden, a soil test will let you know if you need to add anything.
Herbs do not like rich soil — less or no fertilizer is the best choice.
And once they’ve grown?
Pinching your herbs frequently helps the plants get bushier and encourages the plant to produce more. The oils are most fragrant before the flowers bloom. I tend to go out and pick an herb any time it complements my meal (or perhaps a friend’s meal).
If an herb garden is successful, there is always extra. Some people dry the excess (see HGIC 3086 Drying Herbs). Others freeze them. Freezing is an easy way to have the taste of fresh herbs all year long. Rinse your herbs, and then chop them in your usual fashion. Add a bit of water and the herbs to an ice cube tray. Freeze the trays. Pop out a cube as needed. The herbs will look a bit wilted and their appearance will not compare to fresh, but they will taste as good. It is also possible to make herb-infused oils (see HGIC 3471 Herb Infused Oils).
Container garden care
Herbs are ideal for a container garden. Since I do not have room for either a raised bed or an in-ground bed, my herbs are planted in containers. Cloth planting bags are an ideal home for herbs as they provide excellent drainage.
The same rules for a container garden apply as for others with a few additions. Herbs in containers still need six hours of sun.
Herbs need the correct container as a home. Choose one large enough to support an herb through its growing season. It needs to be stable so it does not get knocked over in a storm. If a pot is too large, it may stay too wet for your herbs, causing them to rot. Make certain your pot has a hole. Lately, all the store-bought containers I have purchased have had no hole; do not assume the pots have drainage holes — check. I have a great friend who puts at least five holes in each of my lightweight containers.
It will be important to water herbs in containers more often as they can dry out quicker. Use a finger stick test to see when the soil needs water. Too much water can cause roots to rot and too little will cause the roots to dry out.
Garden soil is not the correct medium (even store-bought garden soil). Potting soil is necessary.
I have planted seeds in a container, and there are varieties that perform better in them. I have to thin them in containers, which is difficult as I hate to pull up extra little seedlings. I normally use transplants when they are available. Take note of the mature size of the herb to give it enough room to thrive without depriving any others in the same container of water and nutrients.
A few last tips to grow a bountiful herb garden:
• Research your herbs to find out if they are annuals or perennials. Annual herbs such as basil produce only one season, whereas rosemary can be in the garden for years and grow to a good size.
• Purchase high quality seeds. Research the company if you buy online. Check the expiration dates on the packages when you receive them. Follow the directions as how and when to plant the seeds and store them.
A pot of basil outside a sunny door is a gift. It is easy. There is no reason not to try growing basil or any other herb this season.
Sherry Blanton, “The Southern Gardener,” writes about gardening for The Anniston Star. Contact her at sblanton@annistonstar.com. Follow her on Facebook at Southern Gardener-Anniston Star.
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“Booth” is Karen Joy Fowler’s astonishing new historical novel that is, at its heart, an epic fictional account of the family of one of America’s most notorious villains.
That villain, of course, would be John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Abraham Lincoln in the Presidential Box at Ford’s Theatre days after the end of the Civil War.
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https://www.annistonstar.com/the_st_clair_times/extension-news-egg-safety-for-easter-and-other-times-of-the-year/article_8d80952e-b5e4-11ec-9ecd-377c9c040306.html
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Easter is just a few weeks away, and many children will find colored eggs nestled side by side with chocolate bunnies in cheerful baskets or lurking in hiding places waiting to be discovered. Always handle eggs properly to prevent foodborne illness. Consider the following when planning to buy eggs for Easter to dye.
What should you consider when purchasing eggs? Always buy eggs from a refrigerated case. Choose eggs with clean, un cracked shells. Do not buy out of date eggs. The USDA grade shield on the carton means that the eggs were graded for quality and checked for weight under the supervision of a trained USDA grader. State agencies monitor compliance for egg packers who do not use the USDA grading service.
What does the date on the egg carton mean? Egg cartons with the USDA grade mark must display a “Julian date,” the date the eggs were packed. Although not required, they may also carry an expiration date beyond which the eggs should not be sold, but are still safe to eat. On cartons with the USDA grade mark; this date cannot exceed 30 days after the eggs were packed in the carton. Depending on the retailer, the expiration date may be less than 30 days. Eggs packed in cartons without the USDA grade mark are governed by the laws of their states.
How should eggs be refrigerated? Refrigerate raw shell eggs in their cartons on the middle or lower inside shelf, not on the door, and away from any meat that might drip juices or any raw produce that might contact eggshells. Cover or wrap well any egg mixtures or leftover cooked egg dishes. For all perishable foods, including eggs and dishes containing eggs, allow no more than two hours at room temperature for preparation and serving, 30 minutes to one hour when it's 85° or hotter without refrigeration.
How long are eggs that have been refrigerated, safe to eat? Raw eggs maintain their freshness for 4-5 weeks after purchase if kept refrigerated continuously.
How long are hard cooked eggs that have been refrigerated, safe to eat? A hard cooked egg, if kept in its shell, can be safely refrigerated for up to one week.
I just realized I left the egg carton on the kitchen counter overnight. Are the eggs safe to use? Temperature fluctuation is critical to safety. After eggs are refrigerated, it is important that they stay that way. A cold egg left out at room temperature can sweat, facilitating the growth of bacteria. Refrigerated eggs should not be left out more than 2 hours.
Cooking with eggs
What is an adequate temperature to cook an egg? Eggs you serve immediately at home need to be cooked to 145 degrees and if serving in a serving line in a commercial kitchen they must reach 155 degrees. Please do not use raw eggs unless they are pasteurized in homemade ice cream because people can become infected with salmonella from raw eggs. Mix the eggs with a little milk and sugar and heat quickly to 160 degrees to a custard-like state and then cool down and mix with your other ingredients when making homemade ice cream if you like that rich taste an egg gives it.
How does Salmonella infect eggs? Salmonella bacteria are found in the intestinal tracts of animals, birds, reptiles, insects and humans. Salmonella may be found on the outside of the eggshell before the egg is washed or it may be found inside the egg if the hen was infected. It is estimated that one egg in 20,000 eggs may contain salmonella. Eggs contain natural antimicrobial substances in the egg white, and all eggs are washed and sanitized before they are packed. Egg recipes properly prepared in individual servings and promptly eaten are rarely a problem. Note: Inadequate refrigeration, improper handling and insufficient cooking are all factors that have contributed to disease outbreaks. Salmonella is destroyed by heat. Eggs that have been handled and cooked properly should not cause human illness.
What usually causes salmonellosis? Salmonellosis outbreaks are most often associated with animal foods, including chicken, eggs, pork and cheese, but have also been reported related to cantaloupe, tomatoes, alfalfa sprouts, orange juice and cereal among other foods. Human carriers play a big role in transmitting some types of salmonellosis. Salmonella bacteria can easily spread from one food to another and from the food handler to food if improper handwashing is practiced.
The majority of reported salmonellosis outbreaks involving eggs or egg-containing foods have occurred in food service kitchens and were the result of inadequate refrigeration, improper handling and insufficient cooking. If not properly handled, Salmonella bacteria can double every 20 minutes and a single bacterium can multiply into more than a million in six hours. Properly prepared egg recipes served in individual portions and promptly eaten are rarely a problem. You can ensure that your eggs will maintain their high quality and safety by using good hygiene, cooking, refrigeration and handling practices.
Are eggs the only source of Salmonella bacteria? No. Salmonella bacteria are widely found in nature and easily spread. The bacteria can be found in the intestinal tracts of animals, birds, reptiles, insects and people. While the egg itself may not be contaminated when you buy it, it can become contaminated from various sources, such as hands, pets, other foods and kitchen equipment, too.
Dyeing and handling eggs you plan to hunt with: When dyeing eggs for Easter, be careful not to crack them because bacteria can enter the eggs through the cracks. Use food-grade dyes, such as commercial egg dyes, liquid food coloring or fruit drink powders. Hard-cooked eggs should not sit out unrefrigerated for more than 2 hours. Keep eggs refrigerated until you put them into Easter baskets. Store eggs on a shelf inside the refrigerator rather than on the refrigerator door so they stay fully chilled.
A good idea, if the kids plan to eat their eggs, do not use the hard cooked eggs for hiding but replace them with plastic eggs and save the hard cooked ones for them to eat later. If eggs are cracked or broken during the hunt, children may be disappointed when you have to throw them away. Therefore, it is better to keep the hard cooked eggs refrigerated until the hunt. Then, all can sit down and enjoy a safe Easter egg feast.
If you have questions about this topic or for other food safety questions, contact Angela Treadaway, Regional Extension Agent at 205-410-3696 or call the St. Clair County Extension Office at (205) 338-9416.
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How many [fill in the blank yourself] does it take to change a light bulb? The original answer to the joke is, “Three,” with the punchline being “One to hold the bulb and two to turn the ladder.”
An old joke among musicians says the task requires five trumpet players … one to change the bulb and four to stand around and tell how they could have done it better. In the case of the movie star, it only takes one … she holds the bulb and the world revolves around her. We hear all sorts of “light bulb” jokes. It’s a favorite way to poke fun at a rival college or different ideology.
The absurdity makes it funny
We all know it should take one person to change a light bulb, but we wait for the ridiculous answer and the even more absurd explanation. The absurdity is what makes the jokes funny.
What is not funny, however, are the real-life “light bulb” jokes.
There are those tasks that could and should be handled by one person, yet wind up involving far more. Our time is wasted, our patience is tired and we neglect the important work we could be doing in favor of the one-person job someone has seen fit to turn into a 20-person job.
My background is the world of education. One of my pet peeves was to see teachers being asked to spend huge amounts of time collecting and reporting information when one person could have handled the whole job in a few minutes with software readily available at their fingertips. It happens every time we take a one-person job and begin farming it out to dozens.
“It won’t take anyone more than 10 minutes,” we say.
When you start multiplying 10 minutes by the number of people being involved, the time adds up quickly. When we examine how many times bits of administrivia are dropped onto dozens of people, we begin to realize why people can’t accomplish the important work which would truly make a difference. They are so busy being forced to “major in minors.”
'One in; one out' or better yet … 'One in; a dozen out'
We are good at instituting procedures. The problem is that new procedures seldom replace old procedures; they are just added to what is already there. We institute software which does what our paper procedures did. But, we keep the paper procedures “just in case.” I have seen it happen time and time again. You probably have as well.
The good leader’s mantra is, “One in; one out.” New procedures replace old procedures. The great leader’s mantra is, “One in; a dozen out.” A new procedure takes the place of a dozen others, and life gets simpler for all involved.
The poor leader’s mantra is, “One in, and here’s another, and another, and another.” Dozens of people devote time to produce reports which are never read by anyone. Everyone is busy, yet nothing of substance is ever accomplished.
Spend time to save time
Today, our organizations have software that can crunch the numbers, organize the data, and spit out the reports that used to require teams of people many hours. All it takes is one person who understands the software to do the same thing in minutes. Why not spend the time mastering the capabilities of the software? Why not spend the time figuring out the task can be accomplished by a person instead of a whole committee?
How does your organization operate? Are a few, simple procedures taking the place of a boat-load of complicated ones? Is technology making your job easier or adding to your workload?
How many of your co-workers does it take to change a light bulb? What can you do to end the madness?
Frank Buck is the author of the books Get Organized! and Get Organized Digitally! "Global Gurus Top 30" named him No. 1 in the Time Management category for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. Dr. Buck speaks throughout the United States and internationally about organization and time management. You can reach him through his website: FrankBuck.org. Follow him on Twitter @DrFrankBuck.
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The Springville Preservation Society is presenting the seventh annual Spring Fashion Show and Luncheon on Thursday, April 21, at 11 a.m. at The First United Methodist Church Christian Life Center at 6471 Highway 11 (Main Street).
Fashions by Silver Linings, Old Post Office and Cloth on Main. Tickets are $25, which includes a catered lunch, entertainment and door prizes. For tickets call Frank Waid at 205-837-7790. Come on out and join in on the fashion, food and fun.
The Springville Senior Center is making shirts for their bus fundraiser. The shirts are $20 each. They have several shirts with quotes on display or you can put one of your own. Sizes are small to 2XL. To see a few of the shirts, go to the Springville Senior Center Facebook page and scroll down. For more information, call 205-467-6022.
Aaron Saxon and Springville's Mighty Band from Tiger Land will present the 2022-23 marching production, The Final Frontier: Family, Commitment, Perseverance, Excellence. Go to the Springville Tiger Pride Facebook page and look at the video presentation. We can't wait to see this on the field. We know it will be awesome.
Don't forget The Davis Lake Fire District Spring Pancake Breakfast this Saturday, April 2, from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m.
Your news must be submitted to me by the Sunday before the next Thursday's paper. Send your news to springvillenews35146@gmail.com. Till next week … cheers!
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