CULLMAN– Rock the South, the Southeast’s fastest growing country music festival, returns to Cullman with a vengeance June 3-4, 2016, and today announced multi-platinum superstars Florida-Georgia Line! Banking on the heels of the success of 2015, when over 41,000 people descended upon Cullman to party to Brantley Gilbert, Alan Jackson, Tyler Farr, Travis Tritt and many more, Rock the South will return in 2016 with a massive statement with Florida-Georgia Line and many, many more. Continuing tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 26, artists will be announced every morning at 7:15 a.m. by Rock the South’s exclusive radio partners, 102.5 The Bull (Birmingham) and 102.1 WDRM (Huntsville).

Rock the South continues to be less than half the price of any other country music festival in the Southeast. For 24 hours starting Feb. 4 at 10 a.m., fans can buy tickets at last year’s prices. At 10 a.m. on Feb. 5, Early Bird Pricing will begin and last until March 31st. All information will be available on http://rockthesouth.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/RockTheSouth.

Founder Shane Quick said, “Our fans have been asking for Florida-Georgia Line for three years. These guys know how to have fun and so do our fans. FGL is definitely going to bring it in Cullman at Rock the South 2016. Our team is from right here in this area and couldn’t be more excited to bring this level of talent to Cullman. From the beginning, this festival has been about giving back to this area. To date, we have given over $200,000 in four years to our area, and we couldn’t be more honored to continue the tradition with Rock the South 2016.”

Pepsi returns to Rock the South as title sponsor with a multi-year deal in a strategic partnership between Buffalo Rock Company and Pepsi-Cola Decatur.

Florida-Georgia Line BIO
Fueled with three scorching consecutive No.1 hits – Gold-certified “Sippin’ On Fire” and “Sun Daze” and two-time Platinum-certified “Dirt” – and the recently-released title track, Florida-Georgia Line radiates with the Gold-certified sophomore album “Anything Goes” (Republic Nashville). Their latest album soared to a No. 1 debut on the all-genre Billboard 200 and Billboard Top Country Albums charts with music critics and fans alike embracing the superstar duo’s fresh sound. FGL has skyrocketed to stardom, becoming the only artist in history to join Brooks & Dunn in achieving four back-to-back, multi-week No.1 singles; breaking the record for longest No.1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and selling over 21 million tracks worldwide of their two-time Platinum debut “Here’s to the Good Times” and “Anything Goes.”

Taking their undeniable songwriting skills to the next level and discovering new talent, FGL recently formed publishing company Tree Vibez Music, whose moniker was aptly inspired by Kelley’s custom treetop recording studio built by Pete Nelson for the hit show Treehouse Masters. In addition to collaborating across genres with sensations like Nelly and Jason Derulo, FGL has racked up a plethora of industry awards, closing out an epic 2014 topping four of Billboard’s year-end charts and leading Forbes“30 Under 30” list. The accolades continue to pour in: FGL brought home two ACM Awards – their second consecutive Vocal Duo of the Year title and Vocal Event of the Year (“This Is How We Roll” featuring Luke Bryan) – a CMT Music Award for Duo Video of the Year (“Dirt”) and tallied four Billboard Music Awards nominations.

CULLMAN - Rock the South continues to make a statement in 2016 with the addition of Cole Swindell to this year’s lineup. A Georgia boy, Swindell and his music is infectious and will make for an incredible addition to the party at Rock the South.

Rock the South Founder Shane Quick said,” Cole’s music embodies what we at Rock the South represent. We are so honored to have him come play for our fans in Cullman. He knows how to have a good time and so do we!”

Rock the South continues to be less than half the price of any other country music festival in the Southeast. For 24 hours starting Feb. 4 at 10 a.m., fans can buy tickets at last year’s prices. At 10 a.m. on Feb. 5, Early Bird Pricing will begin and last until March 31.

All information will be available at http://rockthesouth.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/rockthesouth.

About Cole Swindell

Now and then, a song and artist can't be denied.

A few months back, Cole Swindell was nothing more or less than a terrific songwriter with a Nashville publishing deal and a growing reputation as one of the city's most exciting young

performers. Now, he's on the road to stardom.

The gateway is "Chillin' It," a song as infectious and groove-laden as anything out there, with a laid-back summertime charm that perfectly captures the guy who wrote and performs it. Independent radio airplay and social media quickly turned it into a sensation that sold more than 125,000 copies, although Cole was unsigned and the song was only available online! A sold-out performance at a 600-seat club in Atlanta did the rest. It was attended by Nashville label reps wanting to see if the kid from tiny Bronwood, Georgia, could put on stage what he had put on CD.

The offers that poured in from virtually every major label meant the answer was an absolute "yes." In fact, Cole's high-energy show wins converts every time he steps in front of a crowd, whether as a headliner in a club or as an opening act in front of 20,000 people.

"Honestly," he says, "I just want it to be fun. I get people who see me on stage who say, 'Hey, it looks like you're having the time of your life up there,' and I really am. Every night is just a blast and they join in."

Not bad for a guy who just three years ago was selling merchandise on tour with Luke Bryan, whom he'd once opened some shows for in Georgia. But such was his drive that there wasn't a wasted moment on the road. He watched Luke and every act he performed with, learning what worked with crowds, and he poured what he was learning into the songs he was writing. Eventually, those songs earned him a staff writer gig at Sony ATV, and with each co-write he expanded his circle of supporters.

"The publishing company told me, 'People are calling back and wanting more dates,’” he says. “’It seems like this town is getting behind you.' So I kept writing and paying my dues, working hard to get to the point where I deserved to be in the room with the major writers, people whose songs I was singing in college bars just a few years ago."

Meanwhile, he kept up his performing chops with solo and opening slot gigs, and finally his abilities as both a writer and performer came together on "Chillin' It," which captures all the restless energy that makes his one of the most compelling and high-energy shows in the business.

"My band laughs at me because I'm a pacer," he says. "I get anxious every time I go on stage. My music means the world to me, so if I wasn’t jumping around backstage getting amped up for the show, something would be wrong. Then, when I hit the stage, I just want to get those first lyrics out. It's like football in high school. On the kickoff, once you get that first hit in, you're in your groove. From then on, it's wide open. I'm having fun."

Then he works to keep them that way.

"I don't want to have a song where people feel comfortable going to get a beer," he says. "Once we get started, I don't want them to risk missing what's next. I want them to leave saying, 'That's the best show I've ever seen.'"

As anyone who's seen him perform can attest, it's working, and now, with "Chillin' It" hitting airwaves everywhere, fans nationwide can get their first look at one of country's most compelling performers.

"The folks who are buying music just want to have fun," he says, "and 'Chillin’ It' is the perfect song to introduce me to them. It isn't a full-out party song, and it isn't serious. Like it says, it's just a chill song, and that's just me."

I am blessed to pastorSardis Baptist Church in Trimble. They placed their faith in me as a young and inexperienced pastor in December of 2008 and made it official in March of 2009.” 

Donny Yarbrough, Pastor

TRIMBLE - Sardis Baptist Church was founded by settlers in 1882 because they wanted a Baptistchurch that would serve as a spiritual light to the Smith Lake community. Today, Sardis Baptist is committed to being a church that reaches out to the community and helps people see they don’t have to have everything figured out, because God already does; all you have to do is trust in him and follow him.

The church is under the direction of Pastor Donny Yarbrough.

Yarbrough and his wife Rachel, married almost seven years, have two little boys, 3-year-old Justus and 18-month-old Jalon. After graduating from J.B. Pennington High School in Blountsville, Yarbrough attended Mississippi State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Meteorology with a minor in Communications. 

“I never had a call to ministry until late 2007 into 2008,” he began. “I had continued to pursue a career in broadcast meteorology, but that all changed in the late winter/spring of 2008 when I attended a tent revival with my mother.”

Yarbrough witnessed to his mother about Christ for many years, and after praying for his mother to become a Christian, little did he know that his faith would become sight that night.

“Mother began weeping during the time of invitation, so I asked her if she wanted me to walk to the front with her and pray with her, and she nodded her head yes,” he continued. “As we knelt at that small altar under the tent, we had the whole community of Walter praying with us. We prayed for my mother to be saved from her sins and that she would give her life to Christ.

“That night, I felt as though I heard God speak to me more loudly and clearly than ever before,” he smiled warmly. “It was as close as one can come to hearing God speak audibly. He said, ‘This is what I want you to do for the rest of your life.’ I felt it deep in my heart. The rest, as they say, is just details. I preached my first message shortly thereafter and haven't looked back since,” he chuckled.

Yarbrough has been a pastor for a little over seven years now. He has been a full-time pastor for about three and a half years. 

“I am blessed to pastor Sardis Baptist Church in Trimble,” he said. “They placed their faith in me as a young and inexperienced pastor in December of 2008 and made it official in March of 2009.

“One of my biggest challenges as a church leader is overcoming the obstacles in an ever-changing culture,” he stated. “One has to always be forward-thinking and seeking God's heart for what the future needs to look like for their church to continue to be effective. We have the greatest message that anyone could ever hear, but being creative and effective in getting that message to those who could truthfully care less is something that continually keeps my heart and mind burdened.”

When speaking of his church, Yarbrough lights up like a Christmas tree. It is obvious he truly loves his work as well as those to whom he ministers.

“Our church has been around for a long time here in Trimble, over 125 years actually,” he beamed. “We are grateful for the heritage of faith many wonderful Christians have established over the decades. Over time, we have transitioned from a predominantly older congregation to one that is truly multi-generational. It is filled with kids, teens and college-age students, all the way to an outstanding group of seniors,” he grinned. “We have exciting, powerful praise and worship music and we strive to preach and teach the Bible in a practical manner. We want people (to) come and leave knowing they have learned what they need to learn to become better for Christ in their everyday life. Simply, we are committed to making disciples through a process we call LOVE, GROW, SERVE.”

Yarbrough encourages his congregation to love God with all their hearts and help others to do the same.

The church is located at 6645 County Road 813 in Cullman. For more information, call 256-739-5300 or email sbc@sardisbaptistcullman.com. Visit them online at http://www.sardisbaptistcullman.com/ or http://qrne.ws/0.  

HANCEVILLE- Monday night was a big night for both the Hanceville Bulldogs and the Holly Pond Broncos with the area championship on the line.

Boys

The Broncos controlled the opening tip and the first quarter, jumping out to an early lead thanks to a 14-0 run. Hanceville started to find their shot at the end of the quarter but still found themselves trailing 23-11 after one.

Hanceville continued to shoot well to open the second quarter, going on a 9-0 run to cut the Holly Pond lead to just three and force a timeout from the green and white. Out of timeouts, the Bulldogs kept the pressure on, scoring four more and taking the lead for the first time in the night. However, Holly Pond took the advantage right back by hitting a pair of threes. The points went back and forth for the remainder of the quarter, but it was Holly Pond that would grab the two-point advantage, 33-31, on an easy inbound layup right before the half.

Holly Pond looked as if they were going to pull away in the third, controlling the ball and the tempo, but the Bulldogs was able to keep the Holly Pond lead in check and only trailed by six heading to the final stanza.

Halfway through the fourth, Holly Pond was able to double their lead to 12 thanks to a pair of three-point baskets, prompting a Hanceville timeout. The Broncos would push the lead to 14, but Hanceville was not done. Xavier Malcom put his team on his back, helping to cut the Holly Pond lead in half with 1:01 left to play. Hanceville would get it as close as six, but no closer, as Holly Pond closed out the game and clinched the area with a 59-51 victory.

Girls

Holly Pond kept the momentum and the wins rolling, dropping the Lady Bulldogs 54-45.

Remaining Games

Wednesday, Jan. 27

4 p.m. Junior Varsity Girls - Fairview vs. Cold Springs
5:30 p.m. Varsity Girls - Cold Springs vs. Good Hope
7 p.m. Varsity Boys - Hanceville at Cold Springs

CULLMAN - Mr. George Washington (G.W.) Ponder was one of Cullman’s most prominent citizens in the early 1900s. In fact, his name still marks a building downtown, a marking left to pay homage to one of the city’s most successful businessmen.

Ponder was born in the western part of Cullman County near Logan on Feb. 20, 1880. He was the son of pioneer settlers, Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Ponder and, as one of a large family of children, started making his own way in the world at an early age. His parents, natives of Georgia, moved to Cullman County when the western part of the county was still primarily wilderness.

Schools were few and the terms were short, causing the opportunities for education to be very limited. He received his education at Logan and other county schools and later took a business course at a Birmingham college.

G.W. married Miss Pearl Sims of the Logan community when he was a young man. The happy couple had four children, A.A. (Pete), E.E., Melda and G.W. Jr.

When he was a young man, it was apparent G.W. had an unusual knack for business. His practical application of business methods, as well as his appreciation of the art of business, was significantly reflected in his success. He had an innate ability to grasp opportunities and possessed powers of keen observation which were assets that aided him in his climb up the ladder in the business world.

Leaving his father’s farm at the age of 21, he began his business career in Birmingham as an employee in a railway shop. He returned to Cullman two years later and took a job as a clerk with G.W. Johnson, a merchant in the city. In 1909, he and W.O. Kelley started a business venture of their own selling goods. The store was called Ponder and Kelley Mercantile.

They set up shop in an old wooden structure and specialized in farm supplies. It was amazingly successful. New lines were added, and they quickly outgrew their first location. Their place of operation became one of the largest mercantile stores in the county.

A very busy man, Ponder was on duty twelve hours each day, but also found time to take part in civic and church activities. He had a wide circle of friends across the state of Alabama and was also very popular in state mercantile circles. Ponder spent his spare time working as a booster and promoting the Alabama Merchants Association, with which he had long been associated.

Ponder was considered to be an all-around good citizen and one of the state’s most outstanding businessmen.

Historical photos courtesy of "Cullman Centennial Booklet 1873 - 1973."

Funeral services for Sandra Kaye Brown, 60, of Falkville will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Hanceville Funeral Home Chapel; with interment in Union Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Hanceville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Brown passed away on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at her residence. She was born on March 24, 1955 in California to E.E. “Crook” and Frankie Lee Millican Wildmon and is preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by two children, Brandon (Emily) Brown and Briana (Shannon) Bauer; four grandchildren: Kollin Brown, Sarah Grace Brown, Adyson Bauer and Isaac Bauer; a brother, Jim Wildmon; and a sister, Kathy (“Big A”) Reeves.

Mrs. Glenice M. Smith of Cullman Alabama passed away on January 25, 2016 at Woodland Village Health Care Center at the age of 86. She was born in Georgia on October 2, 1929 to Jackson A. and Bessie Smith. She worked as a seamstress. She is preceded in death by her parents, husbands: Edward H. Smith and Curtis Jackson, brothers: Arley and Jerrol Smith.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at Moss Funeral Home Chapel at 2 p.m. with Rev. Larry Duke officiating. Interment will be in Cullman Memory Gardens.

Survivors are: daughters: Mary Jackson, Diane (Max) Clark, sister: Jean Moore, brothers: Carlton (Pat) Smith, Larry (Linda) Smith, 9 Grandchildren, 9 Great Grandchildren.

CULLMAN - Thomas Rhett joins the massive lineup at Rock the South 2016. With a massive surge and a huge new record under his belt, Thomas Rhett is the perfect addition to the largest lineup ever at Rock the South which already included Florida-Georgia Line and Cole Swindell.

Rock the South Founder Shane Quick said,” We are so pumped Thomas Rhett is playing at Rock the South 2016. Coming off a six-week No. 1, Thomas Rhett is huge and puts on a great show. Rock the South 2016 is going to be the largest Rock the South ever and we can’t wait to keep announcing the massive talent we have coming to Cullman!”

Rock the South continues to be less than half the price of any other country music festival in the Southeast. For 24 hours starting Feb. 4 at 10 a.m., fans can buy tickets at last year’s prices.At 10 a.m. on Feb. 5, Early Bird Pricing will begin and last until March 31.

All information will be available at http://rockthesouth.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/rockthesouth.

About Thomas Rhett

Years before he kicked off his career with “It Goes Like This,” a debut album that spawned five Top 40 hits and three number ones, Thomas Rhett spent his childhood listening to the sounds of FM radio. "Growing up, there was no such thing as listening to one radio station," he remembers. Instead, Rhett would regularly flip from one station to another, cranking up a mix of country, pop, R&B, rap, rock and oldies. It was a tangle of music.

Decades later, he's tipping his hat to those days with “Tangled Up,” an album that mixes the sound of his influences with equal doses of groove, melody and twang. Although recorded in his hometown of Nashville, “Tangled Up” was written all over America, during a year-long tour in support of Thomas' first album. There was something about the highway that made him feel creative. Something about the crowds that made him feel inspired. Something about the sold-out shows that made him want to return to the tour bus and write something exciting. With help from a handful of co-writers, Thomas whipped up a new batch of songs during the hours before sound check, after the encore and during the long rides from one city to the next. Maybe that's why “Tangled Up” feels like such an upbeat, energetic record. It was created while Thomas' body was still flush with adrenaline.

"At our shows, there aren't any rules," he said. "There's no such thing as standing still and just singing a song. I love jumping into the crowd. I love to dance. The whole show is very up-tempo, high-energy and completely unpredictable."

You could say the same about “Tangled Up.” Produced by Dan Huff and Jesse Frasure, the album is filled with party anthems, dance tunes, drinking songs, love ballads and everything in between, all tied together by a dynamic singer who's unafraid to blur the lines between genres. Some songs take their influence from country stars like Eric Church. Others are more reminiscent of pop idols like Justin Timberlake or Bruno Mars. None of the tracks sound alike, but they do all sound like Thomas Rhett songs.

"I didn't grow up listening to just one style of music," he explained, "so I don't know how to write just one style of music. Whether these songs have more of a pop influence or more of a hip-hop influence or a completely country influence, they all — in some crazy way — cohesively sound like a me song."

They also sound like hit songs. "Crash and Burn," the album's first single, climbed into the Top 10 long before the album's release, and any number of the remaining tracks — from "South Side," a groove-heavy song co-written with Chris Stapleton, to "Die a Happy Man," a heartfelt tribute to Rhett's wife — could follow its climb up charts. Meanwhile, songs like "Single Girl" mix his country-boy croon with layers of poppy synthesizers, and "Tangled" models itself after Michael Jackson's dance floor jams.

"It's just so fun and so crazy," he said of the album, the deluxe version of which also features cameos by pop singer Jordin Sparks and hip-hop artist Lunch Money Lewis. "I think it kind of describes my life a bit. There's all these thoughts and all these melodies and all these different kind of songs on the record. It's all tangled up in knots, in a way. It's like this big ball of yarn that you can't ever fully get undone, and I love that. I love that there's so much variety on the album, so that's why we chose ‘Tangled Up’ as the name."

Though the chaos didn’t immediately go away, it became easier to deal with. I had a friend. For the first time in my life, someone cared.”

Brian Earley

 

WEST POINT - On Tuesday, Jan. 26, Brian Earley, founder of Think2Change, talked to the students of West Point High School about his struggles with abuse, depression and suicide. A phenomenal speaker, Earley told of his tragic childhood and how one special person gave him a reason to live just by becoming his friend. He hopes to empower teenagers throughout the southeast to be the same ‘power of one’ in the lives of others.

“She dropped me and my brother off at a foster home,” Earley said of his mother. She left when they were just kids. Sadly, Earley said he has no happy or loving memories of her because of the abuse she dealt him and his brother all their young lives – she even tried to kill them on more than one occasion.

Earley’s father eventually regained custody of him, but he never saw his brother again. Though he was back with family, the peace was short-lived. He found himself living with an abusive half-brother and an alcoholic father. Before his 14th birthday, Earley endured both physical and sexual abuse. He also faced the death of his father.

After his father died, Earley was sent to live with his grandmother. To him it just meant going to a new school where there was a new group of bullies, but then something happened that took him by surprise. He met a girl named Brandy and her kind words changed his life forever. The two became best friends and Brandy’s parents became the family Earley never had.  

“Her family took me in…came to all my ball games,” Earley said. “Though the chaos didn’t immediately go away, it became easier to deal with. I had a friend. For the first time in my life, someone cared,” he smiled.

After his grandmother passed away, Earley spent six years in the U.S. Navy. Afterwards, he got married and had a daughter before his past caught up to him.

“I started thinking about how the world would just be better off without me,” he said, reflecting on the difficult times. After Earley survived a suicide attempt, a very special counselor entered his life. The counselor told him the scars from his past could provide hope for others who had been through similar trials. Earley took the counselor’s advice and founded Think2Change in 2010. He now works to evoke change by making students aware of the power they have to change lives.

“Think2Change covers really four main topics; abuse, depression, bullying and teen suicide,” he explained. “I usually tell a story called ‘The Power of One,’ which is the story of my life. In that, you will hear my part in all four of those issues.”

Bringing social awareness about school bullying, depression, abuse and teen suicide means meeting with lots of teenagers, either by visiting schools, churches or both. 

“I usually talk to schools and churches separately,” he said. “This is one of those rare events where I am doing both.  I think I am going to eight schools and three churches this week,” he chuckled. I’ll be at Temple Baptist Church tonight and will visit Holly Pond High School tomorrow.”

From the moment Earley begins to talk, the kids hang on his every word. His humor and ability to relate to them is nothing short of amazing. He keeps their attention to the very end, and the students leave with the feeling they’ve just made a new friend.

“I’m an open book,” he added. “I normally get a lot of emails from kids after I give a talk. I always promise them I will personally answer every single email they send. Every school I speak at I can count on between 100 to 150 emails,” he grinned. “I spoke at Florence last week and received 175 emails. I went to Cold Springs High School yesterday; it went really well. It’s a small school; they only had about 200 kids come to hear me, so I figured I’d get about 30 emails. Turns out I got emails from all 200 kids!

“The emails are usually about things they are going through. We try to bridge the gap between the school and the students. Kids want to hide things and take them on themselves. They don’t think an adult will listen. I try to be the speaker that doesn’t just show up and then disappear, never to be seen again, so they follow me on Facebook and Twitter, so it’s worked out great.”

The students at West Point High School seemed to enjoy what Earley had to say. He made them laugh, but he also made them think. 

“He was very inspiring,” said 11th-grader Allison Benefield. “The way he told his story was neat, especially the way he included people from the audience.”

“I like the way he tried to relate to us,” ninth-grader Zeta Hood said. “He told us about his past and made sure everyone knew about it. He was a normal person and didn’t act like, ‘Oh, poor pitiful me’ or anything.”

Earley’s life has been extremely traumatic, and he still cries as he tells his story. But his scars serve as a reminder to him that one person can make all the difference in the world to someone who just needs a friend.    

For more information about Earley and Think2Change, go to http://www.think2change.org/ or follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/think2change.org.

CULLMAN - In getting their 14th consecutive victory Tuesday evening, the St. Bernard Saints took control of the game with Southeastern at the Fazi-Richard Athletic Center early in the third period.

By the 4:00 mark, the Saints were on a 10-2 run and had turned a slim 31-26 halftime lead to 41-28. St. Bernard would go on to run Southeastern off the floor by the final margin of 75-47.

The Saints delivered 23 points in the third that gave the momentum and added 21 in the fourth, finishing with 44 in the second half. The Saints are now 18-1 with the 14-game winning streak and have gone 9-0 vs. the opposition at the St. Bernard Prep School campus.

It was a challenge for the Saints through the first half with the visitors from Blount County. Southeastern matched the Saints point for point and tied the score at 24-24 with 3:00 left in the half on a three-pointer by Justin Bolden, the fifth at that time for Southeastern.

Then it was time for the St. Bernard guards to come alive. Point guard Dean Smith and shooting guard Christian Peterson had been held scoreless until the final 1:50 of the second. Smith landed a three that sent the Saints ahead to stay at 27-24, Peterson got his first basket 55 seconds later and Smith drove to the hoop for two with 0:28 left to complete a 7-0 run.

The Mustangs scored before the half ended, trailing 31-26. That would be as close as the game was for the rest of the night.

Peterson finished the third quarter scoring with a driving shot and the Saints upped the margin to 54-35.

Then with 3:14 to go, center Evan Aldridge completed his fine night of work with a field goal for his 23rd point and the Saints cleared the bench after that play, leading 67-45.

Points in the final 1:31 from Preston Holmes, Anthony Silva and Caleb Guthrey capped off the solid second half with the Saints taking this one by 28 after just a five-point cushion at intermission.

Supporting the 23 from Aldridge was Smith and Gavin Harris at 13 points and Peterson with 11. The Saints accounted for 16 field goals in the second half of their 44-point outbreak, only three coming from long range.

The Saints get Meek in town Thursday to finish the 1A, Area 11 schedule. The Saints are 5-0 in the area and have clinched home court for the area tournament Feb. 11-13.

Southeastern 60, St. Bernard 54 (2 OT) (Girls)

Victory was hard earned by the visitors after they let a 9-point lead with 1:30 to play in the fourth period get away from them. The Lady Saints rallied behind two field goals from Zana Wilson, one by Anna Meyers and had a three-pointer as time expired by Jaden Edge to tie the game at 44-44.

Meyers hustled down on the left baseline to keep the ball alive with St. Bernard getting it back to Edge who hit her third trey of the game with this one sending the crowd into a frenzy.

But the Lady Saints would go down to defeat when they lost Myers, Alli Messick and Wilson to five personal fouls each. That left them to finish the game with four people since they only had seven dressed for the contest.

Southeastern took the lead on a shot around the goal at 2:23 of the second overtime and took advantage of St. Bernard’s inability to score from the foul line, missing four in a row.

The Lady Mustangs clinched the win with a layup with 10 seconds left and handed the Lady Saints their fourth consecutive loss.

Wilson played well before fouling out, scoring 26, with Edge having a 19-point performance and Myers tossing in five.

Peyton Lindley tossed in 19 for the winners, with Brianna Brasfield adding 11 and Wendy Soto 10.

The game took an hour and 50 minutes to be played, ending at 6:50 p.m.

Human trafficking is modern-day slavery. It is compelling someone to work or to engage in a commercial sex act- when a person uses force, fraud or coercion to compel another to work for little or no wages or engage in acts of commercial sex (sex in exchange for something of value).”

Scott Santoro, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

CULLMAN - On Tuesday, Jan. 26, the Cullman County Human Trafficking Task Force held a free public training at Daystar Church. The event, Human Trafficking Awareness and Investigation, was presented by Scott Santoro, the senior training advisor for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign. The event was sponsored by the Cullman County Human Trafficking Task Force, District Attorney Wilson Blaylock, Judge Kim Chaney and Cullman Savings Bank.

To start the program, Judge Kim Chaney and District Attorney Wilson Blaylock addressed the audience and said a few words about human trafficking. Both agreed that unfortunately, it is something that is going on right here in Cullman County.

“I wish I could tell you that Cullman didn’t have to deal with this, but we have to,” said Chaney. “We have young girls being sold by their parents to strangers for money. One of the things I live in fear of, as do most parents, is that our sons and daughters find someone online and hook up with (them). They think they are gonna go for a romance or a beautiful Cinderella story only to be exploited later; and once they (human trafficker) get them, they isolate them and use them. It happens so quickly. That happens here. With all the drug issues here, we have ladies and women being exploited by their boyfriends with drug dealers to pay for drugs. We see that here in Cullman County. I wish I could tell you otherwise.”

“When I first heard about human trafficking, I was a lot like Judge Chaney,” Blaylock admitted. “I thought it probably happened out in California and Texas; maybe some foreigners they loaded up and took to Chicago or New York for labor, but it’s much more than that. In talking with our child advocacy folks here and in talking with Victim Services here and the people they interview and the questions they ask now to get behind a little bit and dig further on why they are there, it’s apparent to me human trafficking is going on here in Cullman. I’m proud to say we are trying to be ahead of the curve in educating ourselves and educating law enforcement and the teachers that see it and deal with it every day in the children that they teach; the signs they may see that maybe some of these students are victims of human trafficking and can report it and go farther. That part of the task force is very important.”

Mr. Santoro’s presentation was very informative. He focused on defining human trafficking and identifying it in daily situations.

“Human trafficking is modern-day slavery,” he said. “It is compelling someone to work or to engage in a commercial sex act- when a person uses force, fraud or coercion to compel another to work for little or no wages or engage in acts of commercial sex (sex in exchange for something of value).”

Santoro shared several facts. Some were surprising, some were not.

-----Fact 1 - Slavery is NOT history. The number of human trafficking victims in the world today is 20.9 million, according to the International Labour Organization. The number was 44,000 according to the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. The annual worldwide profit from human trafficking is $150 billion, says the International Labour Organization.

-----Fact 2– Human trafficking happens to both foreigners and U.S. citizens.

-----Fact 3– Human trafficking is happening everywhere.

-----Fact 4– Movement (from one country to another) is not required.

-----Fact 5– Victims rarely self-identify.

There was an interactive part of the night’s presentation. Several short videos were shown and the audience was asked questions about them afterwards. The exercise helped everyone understand some of the many ways human trafficking can happen. It was very eye-opening and roused lots of discussion afterwards.

“I hope to hear back from the Cullman County Human Trafficking Task Force a year from now with some good numbers, with some new investigations, with some new victims and survivors that have actually been identified; that’s what I’m really hoping,” said Santoro. “To get there, keep talking about this issue. You all came tonight through terrible weather; this is obviously an important issue with everyone in this room and I appreciate that. It’s important to me, too. Be involved, talk about it. Download our materials, they are all downloadable, and share them with people. We have general awareness information and information about all we talked about tonight.”

The Cullman County Human Trafficking Task Force needs the community’s help in order to protect both children and adults in our area from becoming victims. Everyone is encouraged to get involved.

The next Human Trafficking Task Force meeting will be Wednesday, March 2 at noon in Judge Kim Chaney's courtroom, on the second floor of the Cullman County Courthouse.

For more information, email endtrafficking25@gmail.com or visit http://qrne.ws/ht.

To learn more about the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign, visit http://www.dhs.gov/topic/human-trafficking or email BlueCampaign@hq.dhs.gov.

HANCEVILLE - The Cullman County Basketball Tournament wrapped up tonight at Tom Drake Coliseum on the campus of Wallace State.

Girls

Cold Spring Lady Eagles- 48

Good Hope Lady Raiders- 44

The Good Hope Lady Raiders and the Cold Springs Lady Eagles started the varsity action Wednesday night and they did not disappoint.

The first quarter was filled with back and forth action with both teams lighting up the scoreboard to the tune of 28 combined points. Cold Springs grabbed the early advantage 15-13.

The second quarter was more of a defensive battle with a bulk of the points coming at the end of the period. Thanks in part to the great play of Kameron Crider, the Lady Eagles took a 26-22 lead to the half.

Cold Springs started the third on fire. Emme Willoughby helped push the Cold Springs lead to eight with back-to-back three-point baskets, forcing a Good Hope timeout. The break in the action benefited the Lady Raiders as they went on a 6-0 run to pull to within two and prompt a timeout from Cold Springs. Kaylee Maddox scored immediately out of the break to tie the game. The Lady Eagles would score the next four to go up by two heading to the final quarter.

Both teams had to grind for points in the fourth. Good Hope tied the ballgame on a lay-up with 2:10 left to play. The two squads then traded a pair of baskets before Cold Springs was able to pull in front by four with 50.2 left to play. Two blocked shots, a three-point attempt that was blocked by Bailey West and a two-point attempt that was stuffed by Willoughby, were the difference as Cold Springs claimed the county championship by the score of 48-44 over Good Hope.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

• Kelly Pickett, Good Hope
• Melissa Clingman, Holly Pond
• Ruth Horton, Holly Pond
• Taylor Tankersley, Holly Pond
• Kaylee Maddox, Good Hope
• Kate Kent, Good Hope
• Bailey West, Cold Springs
• Kameron Crider, Cold Springs
• Emme Willoughby, Cold Springs

ALL-COUNTY TEAM

• Melissa Clingman, Holly Pond
• Ruth Horton Holly, Pond
• Kaylee Maddox, Good Hope
• Kate Kent, Good Hope
• Bailey West, Cold Springs
• Emme Willoughby, Cold Springs
• Bailey Yearwood, West Point
• Taylor Yeager, Fairview
• Annie Taylor, Fairview
• Taylor Hollingsworth, Hanceville
• Geri Beasley, West Point
• Dallas Mullican, Fairview

CHARLOTTE CUMMINGS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

• Taylor Hollingsworth, Hanceville

BILL SHELTON AWARD

• Bailey West, Cold Springs

Boys

Hanceville- 55

Cold Springs- 49

In boy's championship, both Cold Springs and Hanceville started off ice cold, combining for just seven points in the first four minutes. After a lengthy feeling out process, it was Cold Springs who had the lead, 11-10.

Hanceville looked to pull away in the second, going on an 8-2 run to open the frame to take the lead, but Cold Springs held tough and fought through the onslaught to keep the game close. After the dust settled, the Bulldogs took a 26-23 lead to the locker room at half.

The Bulldogs stayed hot in the third, extending their lead to seven on the back of a 5-0 run that had Cold Springs on their heels. Following the Hanceville flurry, Cold Springs finished the quarter strong and went into the final stanza down just four.

Cold Springs pulled to within two almost immediately to open the fourth, but a three by Jose Orozco pushed it back to five. From there the points poured in from both sides, keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats. Cold Springs rattled off four quick points to take the lead, but Xavier Malcom answered with a deep three in the left corner to put Hanceville up by one with 4:02 left on the clock. The Bulldogs went back up by three on a pair of free throws by Evans.

The next points belonged to Hanceville as well, another pair of free throws, this time by Malcom, to push lead to five. Cold Springs would answer but found themselves in a precarious position, down three with 45.6 seconds left to play in the championship game. Forced to foul, the Eagles put Malcom on the line with Hanceville in the double bonus. He hit both free throws to push the lead back to five. The Eagles had to foul once more, putting Isaac Weissend on the line. He hit one to put the Bulldogs up six with four seconds left to play, effectively putting the game out of reach. Hanceville took the boy's crown by the final score of 55-49.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

• Tanner Rusk, West Point
• Seth Parker, West Point
• Triston Chambers, Cold Springs
• Josh Freeman, Cold Springs
• Isaac Weissend, Hanceville
• Xavier Malcom, Hanceville

ALL-COUNTY TEAM

• Tanner Rusk, West Point
• Triston Chambers, Cold Springs
• Josh Freeman, Cold Springs
• Isaac Weissend, Hanceville
• Xavier Malcom, Hanceville
• Austin Fletcher, Fairview
• Drew Jones, Holly Pond
• Bailey Smith, Holly Pond
• Hunter Cleghorn, Vinemont
• Matt Cahoon, Holly Pond
• Matt Cofer, Holly Pond
• Kobe Smith, West Point

ELI THOMAS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

• Xavier Malcom, Hanceville

JOE SHULTZ AWARD

• Triston Chambers, Cold Springs

It is with earthly sorrow, but Heavenly joy, that we announce the everlasting life of Lester Henry Williams. Lester went Home to the Lord on Wednesday, January 27, 2016, surrounded by his loving family at his home in South Vinemont.

Lester was born on June 1, 1926, to the Rev. William Osko Williams and Fannie Mae McCain. One of six children, Lester grew in his Baptistfaith from an early age. He proudly served his country during World War II on the island of Iwo Jima. After his return home from the war, he married his school sweetheart, Helen Faye White.

For a short time, they moved to the Florida Keys, but it was not long before they were back in Cullman County with their loving family. Together, Lester and Helen raised four boys. Lester spent most of his adulthood in chicken farming and later working for Tyson Foods.

He was a charter member and deacon of Faith Baptist Church for over 50 years, inspiring many through his faith. An avid gardener, Lester never met a tree he didn't like.

He is predeceased in death by his parents; his two sisters, Flora Mae (Howard) Edmondson and Vera (Robert) Bell; and two brothers, Luther (Mullis) Williams and Albert (Opal) Williams.

He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Helen; their four boys, Gary (Becky) Williams, Thomas (Sharon) Williams, Jeff (Tonya) Williams and Kent (Karla) Williams; and seven grandchildren, Heather (David) Miller, Angie (Shannon) Cheatwood, Summer (Ryan) Rust, Vanessa Williams, Monica Yeager, Nickolas Williams and Kade Williams. He is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren with one great-great-grandchild on the way. He has one surviving sister, Macie (Mac) Adams.

Visitation will be at Faith Baptist Church in South Vinemont Thursday, January 28, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be provided by Moss Service Funeral Home, with services Friday, January 29, at 2 p.m. at Faith Baptist Church, with internment in Cullman City Cemetery. Officiates will be Rev. Jim McNees, Rev. John Garrison, Rev. Glenn Pender and Rev. Randy Makemson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the angels of Comfort Care Hospice or in a tithe to Faith Baptist Church. "You gave me life and showed me your unfailing love. My life was preserved by your care." Job 10:12.

Graveside services for Pete Lee Price, 65, of Crane Hill will be held at 2:45 p.m. on Friday, January 29, 2016 at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Corner. The family will receive friends on Friday from noon to 2 p.m. at Hanceville Funeral Home.

Hanceville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Price passed away on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at his residence.

He was preceded in death by his father, Junior Lee Price; his wife, Catherine Theresa Price and grandson, Logan James Rodgers.

He is survived by his mother, Mary Edwards Price; daughters, Theresa (Paul) Rodgers and Angela Price and grandchildren, Bryant and Anna Grace Rodgers.

Funeral service for Christopher Michael Kuehler, 56, will be held on Friday, January 29, 2016 at 3:30 p.m.

Moss-Service Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Pauline Stewart Pitts, age 88, of Crane Hill will be 2 pm. Saturday, January 30, 2016 from Moss-Service Funeral Home Chapel, Tim Rice and Frank Stewart officiating. Burial will follow at Spring Hill cemetery.

Ms. Pitts passed away Thursday at her residence. She was born in Cullman, September 15, 1927 to Travis Franklin and Rosie Johnson Stewart. She was a mother and housewife.

She is preceded in death by her parents, sisters; Verlo (Swan) Burton, Edna (Bernis) Carden, Ruby (James) Lee, Elizabeth (Roy) Phillips, brothers; Buford (Moselle) Stewart, Elmer Roscoe (Sarah) Stewart, and infant stillborn.

Survivors include a daughter; Camellia Renee (Rickey Harris) Lee, grandchildren; Mandy (Adam) Farr and Derrick Lee, great grandson; Jace Farr and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Sue Cotten, 73, of Good Hope will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Hanceville Funeral Home Chapel; with interment in Oak Grove Cemetery in Hayden. The family will receive friends on Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

Hanceville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Cotten passed away on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at her residence.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ercie and Kathleen Nix Carnell; her husband, Steve Cotten and four brothers, Jimmy, Johnny, Ronald and Stanley Carnell.

She is survived by two sons, Michael (Amanda) Cotten and Rodney Cotten; grandchildren, Shadoe Cotten, Kirsty Cotten, and Kayle Cotten; great grandchild, Isabella Cotten and brother, Freddy (Kathy) Carnell.

Funeral services for Sue Cotten, 73, of Good Hope will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Hanceville Funeral Home Chapel; with interment in Oak Grove Cemetery in Hayden. The family will receive friends on Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

Hanceville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Cotten passed away on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at her residence.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ercie and Kathleen Nix Carnell; her husband, Steve Cotten and four brothers, Jimmy, Johnny, Ronald and Stanley Carnell.

She is survived by two sons, Michael (Amanda) Cotten and Rodney Cotten; grandchildren, Shadoe Cotten, Kirsty Cotten, and Kayle Cotten; great grandchild, Isabella Cotten and brother, Freddy (Kathy) Carnell.

Funeral services for Bernard Fredrick Schaefers, Jr., age 67 of Cullman, will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Patrick Egan officiating. Interment will be in Berlin Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home Friday evening from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m.

Cullman Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Schaefers passed away on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at his residence. He was born March 23, 1948. He worked for Greif Brothers as a machinist.

He is preceded in death by his father, Bernard Fredrick Schaefers, Sr.

Survivors include his Wife, Susan Miller Schaefers; his mother, Josephine Schaefers; a daughter, Tina (Paul) Miller; a son, Chris (Samantha) Schaefers; two brothers, Robert (Betty) Schaefers and John (Judy) Schaefers; two sisters, Margaret (Gary) Teichmiller and Theresa (Jeff) James; three grandchildren, Dustin Shay Miller, Meagan Brooke Miller and Alexis Marie Schaefers; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

CULLMAN - After one year in business, The Antique Market of Cullman will be closing its doors for good on Jan. 31.

When asked if she was surprised to make the decision to shut down her shop, owner Beth Veigl said no.        

“This is a business decision. Retail is a very difficult business to be in, and (the shop) simply has not generated enough business to justify keeping it open. It is a tough time to be in a small business. It is also interesting that 95 to 98 percent of my buying/paying customers are from outside the Cullman area. We do have a nice little group of regular Cullman customers who we appreciate very much as well as all of our out of town clientele. We would encourage everybody to shop the small shops in Cullman. They really need and appreciate your business.”        

The closing of The Antique Market of Cullman comes at a time when Cullman’s burgeoning economic growth makes it hard to believe that a store would not be able to make it in the city. After all, the rejuvenation of the First Avenue shopping scene, or the advent of it, seemed like a match made in heaven for the antiques shop.          

The closing of the Market is a cautionary tale to the citizens of Cullman, a reminder that the economic growth of the county is not inevitable and should not be taken for granted. Patronization of local shops is the foundation on which Cullman has built a growing city.         

Veigl will continue to sell antiques at Highway Pickers on Highway 278, in booth 724. She will also continue her design business, b. VeigL designs. Check it out here: http://www.cabinetdesigns.org/.

“I have been designing kitchens, baths and anything needing cabinetry for years. I hold dealerships for various USA-made, cabinetry manufacturers as well as design software that allows me to create my designs,” she said.          

The Antique Market of Cullman is located at 220 First Ave. SE. Visit here to check out pieces that are for sale prior the store’s closing: https://www.facebook.com/TheAntiqueMarketofCullman.