Funeral service for Martha May McKoy will be held on Saturday, February 06, 2016 2 p.m. at Moss-Service Funeral Home Chapel
.
Moss-Service Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday, February 05, 2016 from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Photo shows a helicopter delivering HVAC units to the top of the Heidrich Building at St. Bernard Prep.
CULLMAN - Construction crews arrived the first week of October to begin restoration of St. Bernard’s main library building. Under the direction of general contractor Eidson and Associates, workers began the demolition phase on Oct. 8, 2015. With the recent completion of this phase, work has now begun on the construction phase. The 333 Club has been established to raise the remaining funds necessary for completion.
During construction, the interior of the library will undergo a complete renovation. In order for the building to meet today’s codes and requirements, new electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning are required. In addition, a new roof and new thermal windows will be installed. An elevator and public bathrooms on every floor are among the new features being upgraded and added.
In the great room on the library’s first floor, the cross by Fr. Timothy Harrison will be restored and a balcony on the southern wall will be constructed. Archways and a grand stairway will provide access to both the monastic and school libraries. A board room, an alumni/benefactor room and the Abbey archive will round out the features of the first floor.
The classrooms on the mezzanine and top floors will be outfitted with the latest technology needed for the education of students. An office for the faculty and the school administrator will be among the additions as well.
“It’s exciting to see this library come back to life,” said Fr. Marcus Voss, development director. “For over 30 years we have not had a central library. Now, with the growth in our enrollment and expanding needs of our Abbey, this building will truly become a center for the liberal arts on our campus.”
To provide funds for the renovation of the library and other capital improvements at St. Bernard, the Campaign for St. Bernard began November 2012. The early donations to the campaign were used to create the Abbey Byre, a reception hall for the Abbey and the center of the drama and music programs for the school.
“The library will be completed by the end of June and our goal is to complete the campaign at the same time,” said Fr. Marcus. “We have already received pledges of $4.3 million toward our $5.2 million goal. To help us close the campaign and complete the renovation of the library, we’ve established the 333 Club to raise the last $900,000. St. Bernard needs 300 friends and alumni to pledge $3,000 payable over the next three years. We’re close, and I know with the help of our supporters we’ll reach our goal.”
For more information about becoming a member of the 333 Club, please contact Fr. Marcus at 256-531-2010 or frmarcus@stbernardprep.com. All donations made to the campaign and to the 333 Club are tax deductible.
Photo shows Walker Caretti.
BIRMINGHAM - The AHSAA Indoor Track & Field State Championship
kicked off today in Birmingham at the Birmingham Crossplex. The two-day meet features some of the top high school athletes from around Alabama, many from right here in Cullman County.
Cullman High athletes competing for top state honors are Ann Carol Braswell, Tally Wilson, Tanner Jackson, Austin Elrod, Lexi Daily, Lexie Marks, Tayla Sparg, Savanna Canter and Walker Caretti.
Today, the first day of competition, Tally Wilson won the 6A State pole vault title with a personal record of 11'3”, with teammate Ann Carol Braswell finishing third with an indoor personal record of 9' 6”.
Walker Caretti, coming back from an injury in the outdoor track season, placed third in the 800-meter run with a personal record of 1:59.
Canter and Sparg both qualified for the 60-meter hurdle finals tomorrow. Canter ran a 9.41 and Sparg 10.14. Canter is seeded third and Sparg is seeded eighth.
“I am really proud of our kids and the way they have competed. It speaks volumes about Walker's resiliency and toughness to be able to overcome injury last year in the outdoor season and to be able to run in the top three today. Tally and Ann Carrol both were able to come in and set personal records today. Tally won the pole state championship in Michigan last year. She improved her height by three inches. Tomorrow Garrison Hill is the heavy favorite to win the boys’ 6A pole vault,” said Cullman High School Assistant Principal Mark Stephens. “We are proud of all of our kids. Congratulations to Coach Trent Dean and Coach Kristen Barnett for the outstanding job they do with our athletes.”
Complete results and details can be found at http://www.xpresstiming.com/Live/2016/Indoor/AHSAA/.
Photo: CRMC employees show their support in the fight against heart disease on National Wear Red Day.
CULLMAN - February is National Heart Month, and Cullman Regional Medical Center employees recently joined together to raise awareness and support the fight against heart disease by wearing red on National Wear Red Day, Feb. 5, 2016.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), heart disease is the number one killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. Heart disease causes more deaths than all forms of cancer combined. It is often a silent killer with no symptoms.
The AHA and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute began National Wear Red Day in 2003 and encourage everyone to wear red on the first Friday of every February to increase awareness and promote healthy lifestyle changes, specifically for women.
The two organizations have also been raising awareness of heart disease through their Go Red for Women program since 2004. You can “Go Red” by eating healthy, exercising, knowing the signs of a heart attack, knowing your heart score, wearing red and spreading the word about heart disease.
For more information about National Wear Red Day and Go Red for Women, visit https://www.goredforwomen.org/.
For more information about Heart Care at CRMC, visit http://www.crmchospital.com/heart.
HANCEVILLE - Wallace State’s baseball team lost its season opener Friday, falling to Motlow (Tennessee) State, 4-2, at James C. Bailey Stadium.
Wallace State freshman Cole Collins was 2 for 4 in his collegiate debut, scoring a run in the first inning for the Lions.
Wallace State led 1-0 through four innings behind starter Braxton Light. He recorded four strikeouts in five innings, allowing two runs to Motlow State in the fifth inning.
The Lions tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth after Stephen Dobbs scored on a wild pitch.
Motlow State regained the lead in the seventh, tallying a run on a wild pitch of its own against Wallace State’s Will Eiland. The Bucks added an insurance run in the ninth on Casey Wehrhahn’s sacrifice fly.
Dobbs had an RBI single for Wallace State in the first.
Wallace State hosts Volunteer State for a doubleheader on both Saturday and Sunday. The twinbill begins at 1 p.m. each day.
Wallace State basketball teams sweep Gadsden State on road
Wallace State’s basketball teams earned their first road sweep of the season at Gadsden State on Thursday night.
Wallace State’s women’s team won its third conference game in a row with a 57-52 victory, and the 20th-ranked men continued to roll with a 79-62 triumph over the Cardinals.
Janese Richardson finished with 13 points and seven rebounds for Wallace State and Jemaiya Lee added 10 points and eight boards as the Lady Lions (11-14, 3-3 Alabama Community College Conference) overcame a fourth-quarter deficit to also earn their fifth win in six games.
Morgan Higgins had seven points and 12 rebounds for Wallace State and Kelsey Houston contributed five off the bench.
Wallace State led 20-17 after the first quarter and 32-24 at the half.
Gadsden State made a strong push early in the second half, outscoring Wallace State 19-8 to grab a 43-40 edge after three quarters.
Wallace State had the final run, however, using a 17-9 push in the fourth quarter to secure its first road win in league play.
Wallace State outrebounded Gadsden State, 60-42.
Jaide Walker led Gadsden State in the loss with a game-high 16 points.
Men’s Basketball
Wallace State 79, Gadsden State 62
Sophomore forward Tyrell Clary poured in a career-high 20 points off the bench, propelling the Lions to a season sweep over Gadsden State.
Sophomore Marcus Barham added 13 points and reserve point guard Darren Williams had 12 points and five assists for Wallace State, which has won four consecutive games and 13 of 15.
Wallace State (21-4, 6-1 ACCC) led 46-38 at the half, two days after being ranked at No. 20 in the NJCAA poll.
Derylton Hill, Xavier Mills and Kylen Butler finished with eight points apiece for the Lions. Hill also had 10 rebounds and Mills dished out eight assists.
Wallace State’s bench scored 38 points.
Both Wallace State teams continue conference play Monday, traveling to Southern Union for a doubleheader.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit http://athletics.wallacestate.edu/.
WEST POINT– Seth Swalve and Gage Goodwin are a one-two punch for the Cullman Bearcats offensively. The two seniors made it count in the second half to help their squad turn back West Point 67-57 Friday night at Jim Boyd Gymnasium.
Both combined for 24 points in the second half and shot 100 percent combined from the foul line in the fourth quarter. Their leadership enabled the Bearcats to pull away and end the regular season with 19 victories and momentum going into the 6A playoffs next week.
Cullman will play the Area 15 Tournament at Austin High School, getting an assignment in the semifinal round with Decatur. A win gets the Bearcats qualified for the sub-regional the following week at a site to be determined.
The Bearcats overcame a 13-12 first period deficit to the Warriors, leading 34-26 at the half by outscoring West Point 22-13 in the second quarter.
Goodwin and Swalve had just 10 points at the break, but the key for the Cullman offense was Jacob Heatherly’s three shots from three-point range, two in the final 2:00 of the first half to extend the lead for the visitors.
Swalve started to heat up with eight in the third as Cullman kept the lead secured, holding a 47-36 advantage when time ran out.
Then in the fourth, Goodwin went to work with 10 points, scoring six from the line while Swalve added six and was four of four at the stripe.
Swalve finished the game with 18 points, Goodwin 16, Heatherly and Fletcher Reeling nine apiece.
The Bearcats have won their last three games following a slight slump in the later part of January.
Tanner Rusk hit 18 in a losing cause for the Warriors (14-12) and reached 1,000 points in his career. He was honored by the school after the game. Seth Parker delivered 13 points with Kobe Smith getting eight.
The Warriors will try to end a two-game losing streak when they host the 5A, Area 14 Tournament on Tuesday. West Point has Fairview, who has won four in a row, for a 6 p.m. game in the opening round.
Cullman 65, West Point 59 (Girls):
With a 70 percent free throw accuracy (26-37) and four double-digit scorers, the Lady Bearcats ended Jessica Posey’s first regular season with a hard fought victory on the West Point campus.
Posey watched Taiya Ponder, Christina Skinner and Kennedy Wren combine to shoot 21 of 24 from the line with Ponder the most effective by knocking down nine of 10 including eight in a row.
Cullman led 31-28 at the half and was able to stay in front of West Point, ending the third with a 45-43 cushion. Half of the 20 points in the fourth for Cullman were at the foul line with Ponder getting four down in crunch time to secure the fourth win of the season for the Lady ‘Cats.
Ponder keyed the scoring with 14, Skinner scored 14, Anna Evans had 13 and Victoria Barker 10. Wren’s scoring was from the line with five of six in the second quarter.
Freshman Olivia Ball put on a shooting clinic for West Point, scoring 20 in her last home game, hitting five shots from three-point territory. Jeri Beasley accounted for 11 in her final game as a senior for the Lady Warriors at home with seventh-grader Alexia Shaddix scoring 10 and senior Tess Hembree knocking down seven.
Mrs. Annie Marie Makemson of Gold Ridge went home to her Lord on February 5, 2016. She was 82 years old. She was born on March 12, 1933 to Ralph and Gladys Brock of Cullman Al.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 8 years, Willard Parker and also by her husband of 37 years Angus Makemson. She was also preceded in death by two brothers: Connor and David brock and one great granddaughter: Finley Auburn Baker.
She is survived by 3 Daughters: Hilda Chambers. Donna (Terry) Gorham and Vickie (Darrell) McHann, Son: Michael (Cathi) Parker. 2 Sisters: Mary Stuard and Doris (Van) Scott. Nine grandchildren: Jamie (Kecia) Baker, Brooke (Jeff) Gorham, Jeff (Noi) Baker, Justin Parker, Nicholas (Tifanie) Parker, Amy (Jim) Krell, Andrea McHann, Matthew (Sheila) Parker and Adam McHann. 10 Great Grandchildren and a Host of nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Makemson was a Licensed Cosmetologist in the Gold Ridge Community for many years. She was also a lifelong member of Center Grove Baptist Church
.
Funeral Services will be held February 7, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Center Grove Baptist Church with interment in the adjoining cemetery. She will lie In State at the church on Sunday from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. with Rev. Stanley Kilgore officiating.
HANCEVILLE - Anyone who wants to check off states on their list of those visited in the U.S., can mark off two with a group trip to the Pacific Northwest. The Wallace State Community College Alumni Association is now taking reservations for an eight-day, seven-night trip that begins June 17 in Portland, Oregon and ends in San Francisco, California on June 24.
The trip will begin with a chartered bus trip from the Wallace State campus to the Birmingham International Airport for the flight to Portland. A get-acquainted dinner with fellow tour members will be held that evening.
The next day is the first full day of the tour, with an itinerary that includes a visit to the famous Portland Rose Gardens, followed by an excursion into the Columbia River Gorge, visits to the Multnomah Falls and a scenic drive over the Coastal Mountain Range and Pacific Coast on the way to Newport, Oregon.
The third day includes a drive along the dramatic Oregon coast, with stops at the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Cape Perpetua Lookout and the fishing port of Florence scheduled before heading to Eugene, Oregon for the evening. From there, the tour will travel through the Upqua National Forest to view Crater Lake and get photos of the intense blue body of water from Rim Drive. The tour will then head to Grant’s Pass, Oregon to take an evening cruise on the scenic Rogue River.
A morning drive along the Redwood Highway will take the tour toward the California coast, with a stop in Crescent City before continuing the drive along the coast. The tour will stop in Eureka, California for the night, with a visit to the Samoa Cookhouse for a lumberjack-style meal.
The next day finds the tour in the “Avenue of the Giants” to stand in awe amid virgin redwood forests with trees that are thousands of years old. The day will conclude with a tour of wine country and lunch before heading to San Francisco for the night.
In San Francisco, a deluxe city tour will take travelers to see Twin Peaks, Golden Gate Park, The Presidio and Chinatown in the morning, with the afternoon free to explore before a farewell dinner party that evening.
The cost of the trip includes roundtrip airfare and roundtrip airport transfers, seven nights’ quality accommodations, 16 meals (7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 6 dinners), admission to all included attractions and activities and a professional tour manager.
Costs start at $2,895, with final payment due Friday, April 15. A minimum deposit of $200 is required at the time of registration.
Those interested in the trip can contact LaDonna Allen at 256-352-8071 or ladonna.allen@wallacestate.edu. Visit http://www.wsccalumni.org/pacific16 for more information about the trip and to download the reservation form.
The Alumni Association will hold an informational meeting about this and the other trips planned for 2016 on Tuesday, March 1, at 5:30 p.m., on the 2nd floor of the James C. Bailey Center. Anyone who registers for a trip during the meeting will be entered into a drawing to win $200 to go toward the deposit of a trip.
Each year, the Alumni Association puts together a number of trips to popular tourist destinations in the United States. Group travel offers competitive rates and prospects for building lifelong friendships and memories.
Alumni Association members benefit from discounted fees for the trips. The general public is welcome to join in on the trips and can join the Alumni Association if they wish to take advantage of the discounts offered to members.
Photo shows Garrison Hill competing in the 6A Boys’ Pole Vault event.
BIRMINGHAM - The AHSAA Indoor Track & Field State Championship wrapped up today in Birmingham at the Birmingham Crossplex. The two-day meet featured some of the top high school athletes from around Alabama, many from right here in Cullman County.
Cullman High athletes who competed for top state honors were Garrison Hill, Ann Carol Braswell, Tally Wilson, Tanner Jackson, Austin Elrod, Lexi Daily, Lexie Marks, Tayla Sparg, Savanna Canter, Walker Caretti, Joey Franklin, Eli Wilhite, Tucker Adkison and Caroline Hollingsworth.
Today’s results
Complete results and details can be found at http://www.xpresstiming.com/Live/2016/Indoor/AHSAA/.
Intercession; I need your prayer because this country has a heart problem. We’ve got to have people who will stand up for what is right and believe in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.”Jonathan McConnell, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate
CULLMAN - On Saturday, Feb. 6, the Cullman County Republican Party held a breakfast meeting at the Cullman Elks Lodge, where a variety of area Republican candidates spoke in anticipation of the upcoming March 1 primary. The meeting’s special guest was Jonathan McConnell, who is running against incumbent U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby. All three Cullman County Commission Chairman candidates, including incumbent Kenneth Walker and his two challengers, Darrell Hicks and Eric L. Parker, also addressed the crowd.
Each of the commission chair candidates had around two minutes to speak to the audience. Parker, new to the politics, was up first. He stated his priorities are, “to improve the county through community action groups and to improve county roads and water systems by cutting wasteful spending from the commission budget.” Parker said he wants “a transparent commission with an open door policy.” He promised no closed-door meetings if elected.
Former Cullman County Associate Commissioner, Place 1 Hicks spoke second. Hicks is running on a campaign of experience, and he laid out what he would like to focus on if elected. He said he would like to “increase the miles of roads paved each year and will work hard to complete the Highway 157 and St. Bernard four-lane (expansion).” Hicks also said he wants “to begin planning for a new judicial building and finish the county’s first public shooting range so that it will meet standards.”Hicks believes that senior centers need support.
“I promise to meet everyone with respect and in a professional manner,” Hicks said.
Rounding out the commission chair forum was incumbent Walker, who was quick to remind the crowd of his accomplishments in the position and lay out his goals if re-elected. He said he wants to have a 90-day reserve in place and that the commission is currently five days away from that goal. “When I took office,” he said, “there was only a 60-day reserve.” Walker promised to continue working to improve infrastructure in Cullman County and said he plans to “explore avenues for additional revenue to supplement the road department projects with maintaining and upgrading existing roads.”
Special guest McConnell, hoping to upset long-time incumbent Shelby (who has held the seat since 1987), spoke last. McConnell’s plans include cutting government spending, repealing the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”), simplifying regulations and tax codes, lowering corporate taxes and stopping the Common Core State Standards Initiative.
“I am running for U.S. Senate because I have four nieces that (sic) mean more to me than anything in this world,” McConnell said. “I cannot look down at them and say in confidence that we are leaving it (the country) better off for them, so I need four things from every single one of you in this room. They are what I call the Four I’s,” he said, and then began to explain.
“1. Intercession. I need your prayer because this country has a heart problem. We’ve got to have people who will stand up for what is right and believe in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.
“2. Influence. Every single person in this room influences thousands of people, whether it is your family, people you work with or went to school with. If we get our message out, we win this race. This is not about beating Richard Shelby; this is about changing the direction of this country.
“3. Ideas. I may not have the best ideas in the world; I’m a Marine, so therefore I may not be the smartest guy in the world, but I promise you I will work harder than anyone you’ve ever seen in your life. But if you have an idea that we’re not doing or someone I should be talking to, I want to hear about it. Contact us. We want to hear from you.
“4. Income. When I got into this race, I put a quarter million dollars into it. I took everything I could from my business without bankrupting it. I liquidated my savings account, and I donated it to my campaign. I did not loan it, I donated it. So I either took a stack of a quarter million dollars and I either put a fire to it or I invested in the change of our country. We cannot win this unless we get our message out. It costs us about $50,000 a week to stay up on TV. If we win this race, we change the direction of the country more so.”
The primary election is on Tuesday, March 1. The deadlines for voter registration are Friday, Feb. 12 (in-person registration) and Monday, Feb. 15 (online registration).
For more information on in-person registration: http://qrne.ws/register
To register online: http://qrne.ws/regonline
For more information on the Cullman County Republican Party or the monthly breakfast program, visit http://www.cullmangop.com/ or contact CCRP Vice Chairman Waid Harbison at 256-708-1650.
It is all about preventing and stopping hunger in our community.”Nancy Bryant, assistant director, Cullman Caring for Kids
CULLMAN - The 13th Annual Empty Bowls Chili Dinner will be held on Monday, Feb. 15 from 4 - 6:30 p.m. at Cullman First United Methodist Church in Hearin Hall. The event will feature delicious chili served in handcrafted pottery bowls, a silent auction and southern gospel music by local entertainers. Tickets are $10 and are available at Cullman Caring for Kids and First United Methodist Church. All proceeds from the event will go to the Cullman Caring for Kids United Way Food Bank.
“Empty Bowls is a fundraiser for Cullman Caring for Kids,” said Nancy Bryant, assistant director, Cullman Caring for Kids. “It is all about preventing and stopping hunger in our community. It’s a wonderful evening; you get some chili and a handmade pottery bowl to take home. You get to help put a stop to child abuse and hunger. The tickets are $10, which is pretty good for a meal.”
For more information, call Cullman Caring for Kids at 256-739-1111 or email them at cullmancaringforkids@msn.com. You can also follow Empty Bowls of Cullman County on Facebook at http://qrne.ws/bowls.
Cullman First United Methodist Church is located at 320 Third St. SE. Cullman Caring for Kids is at 402 Arnold St. NE.
Funeral services for Edward Conard Rice, 72, of Bremen will be held on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Hanceville Funeral Home Chapel; Gene Persall officiating; with interment in Cullman City Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
Hanceville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Rice passed away on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at his residence. He was an electrician and retired from Drummond Coal Company. He enjoyed cattle farming and spending Thursdays at the Cullman Stockyard.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Preston A. and Wilma Marie Baker Rice and his brother, Thomas Alton Rice.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret Rice; daughters, Connie (Jay) McDonald, Gena Rice and Amy (Brian) Key; grandchildren, Alivia Sims, Maci Key, Emilee McDonald, Preston Key, Dalton Farr and Lawton Farr and sister-in-law, Ann Rice.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Gentiva Hospice; especially Jeremy Hogland.
Donations in memory of Mr. Rice may be sent to Gentiva Hospice at 811 2nd Ave SW Cullman, AL 35055.
Cary Montgomery and the Scouts built that house, not (Mayor) J.D. Marcum or any member of the town council.”John Roy, spokesman for Girl Scout Troop 10288
VINEMONT - Since January’s South Vinemont town hall meeting, tension and emotions have been on a slow boil, with town leaders and community members, particularly Scout leaders, disagreeing over the future of Vinemont’s Scout building, located at 88 Ridgeway St. At issue is ordinance 2016-01-01, which names the building as the new home of South Vinemont Town Hall and the site of all municipal business and meetings. The ordinance will go to a final vote at this month’s town hall meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 6 p.m.
The town has presented both the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts with new lease documents; however, they are not yet available to the public. When asked to provide copies, South Vinemont Town Hall responded, “Any proposed lease would be available if discussed at the meeting after the meeting (next day – reasonable time to enter into the public record first).”
The Town of South Vinemont has some points to remember for anyone who plans to attend Tuesday’s meeting:
The town has already removed one wall to enlarge the only room that South Vinemont Mayor J.D. Marcum said will be off limits to the Scouts and locked. They have also taken one-half of the storage space in the building and removed a number of Boy Scout signs and markings. Scout leaders contend that the town is kicking them out of the building that was built solely for their use. Marcum says that the Scouts are free to use any of the rooms in the building, outside of the one locked room.
“We had to remove everything off the walls Scout-related. We even had to cut the emblems off the inside doors,” said one Boy Scout leader.
A Girl Scout leader said, “The Girl Scout room was torn down two days after we were told about this. Any pictures or posters or anything with the Scout logo has been removed. No history whatsoever has been preserved.”
The “Scout House,” as it’s been known in the community for more than 20 years, has up until very recently been home to Boy Scout Troop 227, Cub Scout Pack 227 and Girl Scout Troop 10288. It is a large, log cabin-type structure that was built by Scout volunteers with purchased and donated materials on property belonging to the Town of South Vinemont. Its official name is the Cary C. Montgomery Scout Community Center. It is named in honor of long-time Troop 227 former Scoutmaster and current Committee Chair Cary Montgomery.
Montgomery and Jim Oden, Troop 227’s current Scoutmaster, have declined to comment.
Marcum said that the reasons behind the move are that the Scout House will provide more room and is handicap-accessible, where the current town hall is not. He said, “I don’t see why we can’t share it. The town paid for the building to be built. The boys use it four times per month and the girls two times per month. Rather than building a new building and putting the city in debt…I think it will be better for them (the Scouts). We are trying to make the best decisions we can based on the facts we have. That’s how we operate.”
Marcum said the town plans to lease the current town hall after the move, in an effort to bring in money. He says that the town pays for all of the maintenance at the Scout House, from cleaning up after Scout activities to taking care of the grounds, which are approximately 2 acres. He stated that the town also pays for all of the utilities.
“We are trying to avoid raising taxes,” said Marcum. “This will save the town money. I’d love to meet with them, the (Scout) leaders, and walk through this building. We’d also like to use the building for senior citizen meetings sometime in the future.”
“Last night (Jan. 12) in the town meeting, we were told that the Boy Scouts would be allowed to continue to meet there and that no one was “kicking” them out. The Girl Scouts had a spokesperson, and he presented a request to the council to continue to meet there, but nothing was approved or even discussed among the council about the status of the Girl Scouts in that facility,” said concerned resident Katie Loyd.
Loyd continued, “My son did use the Vinemont Scout Center from about 5 or 6 years old until he was 18. He began as a Tiger Cub Scout and went on to obtain Eagle. I have not ever seen the original documents, but I was told that (former Mayor) Mr. Elton A. Hall, that assisted with getting this built, had a contract that stated the Scouts could use the building for 99 years for $1 a year. Now, the Town of South Vinemont cannot find the documents and are wanting to move the Town Hall into the Scout building. The girls have already been made to vacate their room.”
CullmanSense obtained the original lease on file at Vinemont Town Hall, a notarized document that was signed on April 11, 1991 by then-Mayor Elton A. Hall and Troop 227 Scoutmaster Gary N. Powell. This document states:
This lease is for a period of ten years commencing on March 1, 1991, with the first yearly payment of $10.00 and other valuable considerations, due on or before March 1, 1991, and nine consecutive yearly payments thereafter beginning March 1, 1992, in the amount of $10.00 and other valuable considerations, with the final payment due on March 1, 2000.
“I am not angry at the mayor or the town council, but more than anything I am ashamed of them and their attorney (Roy Williams) for how the decision was made, legal or not,” said John Roy, who was appointed to speak to the media by Girl Scout Troop 10288 on its behalf. “Cary Montgomery and the Scouts built that house, not (Mayor) J.D. Marcum or any member of the town council. I will end with this: I have never had a Scout lie to me. It used to be that a Scout’s honor was all they needed. A politician, on the other hand, always has an agenda. The Scout House is just that. The name says it all. The town should be investing in the future of these young citizens rather than pushing them away, but I suppose you learn far more from poor leadership than you do good leadership, for it is then that you see exactly how not to lead people.”
The Town of South Vinemont was the charter organization for the Scouts up until Nov. 10, 2015, when, after 22 years, the council passed Resolution No. 2015-11-10-01, severing ties with both the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, effective Dec. 31, 2015. Oden’s Glass is the new charter organization.
For a full background of this story, visit http://qrne.ws/scouts.
We broadcast the Cullman Community Band and we do local charitable events. We try to put stuff on air from around town, and so part of that I wanted to bring to the morning show, too.”Tommy Warhurst, host
Photo shows host Tommy Warhurst.
CULLMAN - There’s a brand new morning radio show on the FM dial, and it’s broadcast from right here in Cullman. “a.m. LIVE” hit the air for the very first time on Monday, Feb. 1 on Cullman's Live 95.5.
Show host Tommy Warhurst takes mornings by storm as he delivers Cullman's only local morning show. “a.m. LIVE” can be heard from 6-8:00 a.m. on Live 95.5. It features a great mix of music plus local headlines, events, guests and more - all spotlighting the Cullman County area.
Warhurst did Live 95.5’s football play-by-play the year the station signed on. Later, he took over the reins as The Voice of Cullman Bearcat Football. Insurance man by day, he gives back to the community weekday mornings by hosting the station’s new radio show where he promises not to talk too much because he knows morning drivers like their music.
“Cullman (did) not have a live local radio show, it’s simulcast from other places or you can listen to Huntsville or Birmingham,” said Warhurst. “Live 95.5’s license from the FCC is nonprofit; it is a 501c3, so part of that charter with the FCC is to be community-oriented. So we broadcast the Cullman Community Band and we do local charitable events. We try to put stuff on air from around town, and so part of that I wanted to bring to the morning show, too.
“The goal is, several days a week, depending on the availability, I am going to try to have local guests on,” he continued. “Next week, for example, I’ve got Jacqueline Schendle from the Better Business Bureau coming to talk about scams and what’s going on. I’m also going to have Javon Daniel on one day next week. He is with Cullman Caring for Kids. I want to bring those kinds of things to light; that’s what we are here for.”
Don’t miss the newest edition to the station, “a.m. LIVE” weekdays from 6-8 a.m.! Also, be sure to follow Live 95.5 on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/live95cullman.
CULLMAN - Cullman Regional Medical Center’s CEMS Ambulance Service is hosting a new event, the 9-1-1 Chili Cook-Off, on Saturday, Feb. 27 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Ambulance Center located at 601 Second Ave. SW. All proceeds will benefit Harbor Haus shelter for victims of domestic violence.
“We have invited every fire department and law enforcement agency to bring a team with their best chili,” CEMS Director James Curtis, Jr. FP-C said. “We hope to have a good crowd come out and show their support for our local first responders.”
Awards will be given for first, second and third place chili, with various door prizes as well. Chili will be $1 per bowl. CEMS will also be accepting donations of diapers, bath towels, personal hygiene products and paper products throughout the event to benefit Harbor Haus.
To register a team or for additional questions, email dawn.holmes@crmchospital.com.
Learn more about CEMS at https://www.crmchospital.com/our_services/all_services/ambulance.aspx.
For more information about Harbor Haus, visit http://www.vsoccullman.org/domestic-violence/harbor-haus.
Funeral services for Clifton Wayne “Dutch” King, age 77 of Mt. Hope, Alabama, will be Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Edward King officiating. Interment will be in Bethel Cemetery at Eva. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 12 noon prior to the service.
Cullman Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. King passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 6 at his residence, He was born August 22, 1938 in Cullman County to the late Gaston and Goldie Minor King. He served in the military until 1962 when he was injured and honorably discharged. During this time, he met and married the love of his life, Sondra Lee King, who preceded him in death. Mr. King enjoyed telling tall tales and spending time at the local coffee shop, where everyone knew his name, especially the waitresses. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting wild hogs. He is a member of Pine Grove Church of Moulton, Alabama.
He is also preceded in death by a son, Scott Wayne King of Moulton.
Survivors include two daughters, Lisa (George) Stevens of Montgomery, AL and Shawn (Jeff) Foppe of Springfield, TN; two grandsons, Greg (Cerra) King of Tuscaloosa, AL and Brandon (Crystal) Clawson of White House, TN; five great-grandchildren, and one brother, Conrad (Geraldine) King of Hartselle, AL.
Pallbearers will be Brandon Clawson, Greg King, George Stevens, Jeff Foppe, Charlie King and Freddie Stephenson.
Following the service, there will be a graveside prayer at Bethel Methodist Church followed by food for the family and friends in the fellowship hall.
Funeral Services for Alfredo Martin Santos, age 33 of Fairview, will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 in the Cullman Funeral Home Chapel; burial will follow at Antioch Baptist Cemetery.
Cullman Funeral Home directing.
Alfredo was born on May 25, 1982 in Guatemala and passed away on February 7, 2016 in Fairview.
He is survived by Wife – Isabel Chavez de Martin; 2 – Daughters – Karina Gabriel Martin & Lorena Noemi Martin; 3 – Sons – Ceferino Martin, Jose Alfredo Martin & Danny Eliseo Martin; Mother – Maria Cristina Santos; Father – Victor Manuel Martin; 5 – Sisters – Celia Martin, Rosa Martin, Veronica Martin, Yolanda Martin & Ana Martin; 3 – Brothers – Victor Martin, Carlos Martin & Cesar Martin.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m.
A Celebration of Life Service for Sharon Willner Glaser, 73 of Cullman, will be 4 p.m. Friday, February 12, 2016, at St. John’s Evangelical Protestant Church, with Rev. John Richter officiating. Interment will be in Cullman City Cemetery.
Cullman Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Glaser passed away Saturday morning, February 6, 2016 at Cullman Regional Medical Center. She was born in Denver, Colorado, on January 12, 1943, to parents Carl Axel and Virginia Thompson Willner.
She is preceded in death by her parents; and a son, Michael Ray Slovak.
Survivors include her husband, Charles “Sonny” Glaser; a son, Scot (Jerri Diane) Glaser; a daughter, Michelle Slovak (Jason) McKinsey; a grandson, Cassius McKinsey; and two brothers, Stuart Willner and James Willner.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John’s Evangelical Protestant Church.
4A Area 10 @ Locust Fork
Postponed until Wednesday @ 6 p.m.
5A Area 15 @ West Point
Postponed until Wednesday @ 4 p.m.
The 2A Area 14 Girls' Tournament @ Tanner
Postponed until Wednesday. Cold Springs will play @ 5 p.m.
Good Hope @ Locust Fork
Postponed until Wednesday @ 6 p.m.
3A Area 10 Tournament
Postponed until Wednesday
