The Cullman City School Board met in an emergency session Friday morning to approve emergency repairs for East and West Elementary Schools. (W.C. Mann for The Tribune)

CULLMAN - In an emergency session Friday morning, the Cullman City School Board approved a proposed plan for temporary roof repairs at East and West Elementary Schools, where buildings were damaged during the March 19 hail storm.  Stephen Ward & Associates, Inc. has lined up a team from West Roofing to come over from Georgia and spray a polyurethane foam covering over the existing damaged roofs to stop leaks into the library and special education room at East and the entire complex at West.

According to Cullman City Schools Support Services Coordinator Hayden Faulk, the team was waiting in Georgia for a phone call even as the vote was taking place; they were to arrive and begin staging Friday afternoon, and spend the weekend applying the foam.

Some other buildings that also had damage, but are not currently leaking, will not receive the temporary seal.  The roofs of both schools will be replaced this summer.

The board also granted permission for East Elementary School and Cullman Middle School archery teams to travel to Madisonville, Kentucky on Saturday to compete in the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) Pre-National Archery Tournament.  Additionally, the two schools got the okay to travel to Louisville, Kentucky on May 10-12 to compete in the NASP National Archery Tournament.

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Visitors from Frankweiler arrived at the Cullman County Museum late Thursday afternoon.  L-R: Sigrid Rong, Klaus Feindel, Verena Rong and Karl Fiscus (W.C. Mann for The Tribune)

CULLMAN - From April 26 to May 5, Cullman’s Friends of Frankweiler are hosting four “Friends of Cullman” from Cullman’s sister city in Germany.  After being greeted at the airport in Birmingham and transported to Cullman by Drew Green and Ernest Hauk, Sigrid and Verena Rong, Klaus Feindel and Karl Fiscus were welcomed to town late Thursday afternoon with a reception at the Cullman County Museum.

Myrna Hermetz, who coordinated the reception, told the Tribune that the group and their hosts planned to attend a reception at Goat Island Brewing Friday evening, relax at Smith Lake during the day Saturday, enjoy a spread of American cooking at the lake home of Elaine Fuller and family Saturday evening, and attend Sunday morning services at St. John’s Evangelical Protestant Church.

“I’m just always real excited when they come,” said Hermetz.  “My roots are in Germany, and that’s why I get excited when they come.”

At Thursday’s reception, The Tribune asked Feindel, who has visited Cullman several times, what brings him back.

“Oh, the friendly people!  It’s my second hometown, Cullman.  Very nice here!” he smiled.

For more information on Friends of Frankweiler, visit www.facebook.com/friendsoffrankweilerandcullman/.

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

“Avengers: Infinity War” is directed by the Russo brothers, Joe and Anthony, and stars far too many Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) A-listers to name. If you don’t already have a general idea of what this film is about, you may have a hard time enjoying it as much as someone who has been watching all the MCU films over the past decade. “Infinity War” is the culmination of 10 years of films that started with “Iron Man” in 2008 and the promise of the Avengers in Nick Fury’s first post-credits appearance in that movie.

After the credits of Marvel’s first big team-up blockbuster, “The Avengers,” we were promised a confrontation with the Mad Titan himself, Thanos. Thanos has made brief appearances in films like “Guardians of the Galaxy” and after the credits of “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” but the big question going into the latest MCU entry was whether or not he could live up to the six years of anticipation that has been building since “The Avengers.”

It’s safe to say that the Russo brothers heard the skepticism and as a result have delivered one of the MCU’s most intimidating, smart and well-written villains yet. You don’t go so far as to empathize with Thanos or his mission, but there is clear logic to all of his actions. Similar to Erik Killmonger from “Black Panther,” Vulture from “Spiderman: Homecoming” or Loki from several MCU entries, it’s easy to understand where they are coming from and why they are doing what they are doing. This is without a doubt Thanos’ movie, and Josh Brolin brings a dramatic weight to the character while still being imposing.

All of the familiar heroes that we have gotten to know over the years are great to see and the actors portraying them are so recognizable as these characters that it’s nearly impossible to find flaws in any of their performances. The only negative that comes with having so many characters in this film is that it’s impossible to give everyone the shine they deserve. A lot of this film’s criticism will likely be based on who your favorite characters are and how much screen-time they get. It’s very impressive to see how well put together the film is considering how many characters and sub-plots the Russo brothers had to juggle, but it is undeniably imperfect. While it’s tough to keep up with all of the plots going on at times, the positives of jamming all these characters together far outweigh the negatives. Seeing members of the Guardians of the Galaxy interact with earth-based Avengers or Wakandans fight alongside Captain America is truly a blast and the humor that comes with some of these introductions is spot on.

However, I don’t think you can fully appreciate the humor, drama, action or plot of “Infinity War” if you haven’t been keeping up to date with the goings on in the MCU. This film does take the time to explain things like Infinity Stones and what some characters have been doing but you are definitely expected to have some knowledge of what’s been happening from the opening frame.

The action in this film is unlike anything we’ve seen in the MCU up to this point; “Infinity War” is the first film to ever be shot entirely with IMAX cameras and as a result every action sequence looks phenomenal, and there are a lot of them. In the two-and-a-half-hour run time we see literally dozens of characters with dozens of different abilities clashing across the galaxy and hammering home the severity of the situation. This is a Marvel film that makes you truly fear for the characters and that makes for some jaw dropping moments over the course of the movie.

Overall, “Avengers: Infinity War” is a big, long, exciting, suspenseful, funny summer blockbuster that will leave you excited for what the MCU has in store going forward.

Griffin’s score: 9/10

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Image courtesy of Marvel Studios.

A run comes in to score for Mortimer Jordan during the seventh inning of West Point's 13-5 loss to the Blue Devils. (Nick Griffin for The Tribune)

WEST POINT - Game three of West Point’s 2018 AHSAA Baseball 5A State Playoffs round two series with Mortimer Jordan on Saturday was a back-and-forth match-up with a couple of big momentum swings, but after a big fifth inning, the Blue Devils pulled away and advanced to round three with a 13-5 win, ending the Warriors’ season.

The Warriors took an early 1-0 lead in the opening frame on an RBI single from Rylan Jones. After three quick outs in the top of the second, West Point added three more runs on two bases-loaded walks and a hit batter. It was a long inning that not only generated two runs but forced Blue Devils’ starter Griffin Busby to throw a lot of pitches early in the game.

Mortimer Jordan took a chunk out of the Warriors’ lead in the top of the third with a three-run shot over the left-field fence that made it 4-3. It looked like the Blue Devils would add a run in the top of the fourth on a single to left field, but Warriors left fielder Will Cochran gunned down a runner coming home from second to end the inning and save a run. West Point added to its lead in the bottom of the fourth when Cameron Bates brought in a run on a sacrifice fly and took a 5-3 lead into the fifth.

The top of the fifth was where things began to go the wrong way for West Point. Mortimer Jordan made it 5-4 with an infield single and took a 6-5 lead a few pitches later on an RBI single and an error. Two more came in to score for the Blue Devils before Aubrey Cleghorn picked off a runner at first to end the inning. The Warriors were only able to come up with three more hits for the rest of the game and couldn’t push any more runs across against the Blue Devils’ defense.

Mortimer Jordan added two more runs in the sixth and three more in the seventh on its way to a 13-5 final. West Point Head Coach Seth Ward pointed to some errors defensively as one of the biggest factors in Saturday’s loss.

“I thought Kolton (Easterwood) pitched pretty well. He gave up the bomb, but we didn’t really let it snowball until we started kicking it a little bit; we made three of four errors and they’re a momentum team and they took control of the game at that point,” Ward said. “We put a little too much pressure on ourselves in the box, didn’t have great at bats and the story of the game is not playing defense like we should have.”

After finishing the season at 22-15, winning the Cullman County Tournament, making the playoffs for the first time since 2003, and winning the first play-off series in school history, an emotional Ward talked about what this year’s senior class means to him and the Warriors baseball program going forward.

“I’m so proud of this bunch. I knew two years ago they were special and they’ve got the ball rolling. What we’ve got to do is those young guys have got to appreciate what those guys have done; they’ve laid the foundation for what we’re doing, and I love those kids like my own. I hate to see them go. They’ve accomplished so much, and I just couldn’t be any prouder,” Ward said. “This isn’t what we wanted today, no, but it was so much fun every day going to work with those guys. That’s the most enjoyable thing is the appreciation and what they mean to us and what they do for us as far as coming to work and making it such a special, awesome thing to really love what you do. We love those kids, all of us out here we love those kids and we’re so proud of what they’ve done.”

Read about games one and two here:

www.cullmantribune.com/articles/2018/04/27/prep-baseball-warriors-split-...

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Jim Hays (Citizens Bank & Trust)

CULLMAN - Citizens Bank & Trust recently announced the appointment of James E. “Jim” Hays, Jr. of Cullman to its board of directors. The appointment expands the board to nine directors.

“Jim is an accomplished business leader and his broad experience across important industries will add a valuable perspective to our board of directors,” said Charlie Williams, president and CEO of Citizens Bank & Trust. “We appreciate his willingness to serve as a director and are confident that he will add great value to our board of directors.”

Hays, a Cullman native, is the president of Hays & Son Oil Co., Inc., Dodge City Travel Center, Inc., and the managing member of Hays Properties, LLC and JTK Group, LLC. These companies are centered in Cullman. Hays graduated from Cullman High Schools in 1976, the same year his family bought a small gas distributorship in Cullman. The business grew into Hays & Son Oil Company and now markets more than 20 million gallons a year of gas and fuel through retail outlets branded Conoco, Pure, Chevron and Shell and approximately 200 customers in agriculture, construction and trucking businesses. Hays and his family also founded two real estate development companies in Hays Properties, LLC and JTK Group, LLC. Hays has served in the petroleum industry as a founding member and stock holder of the Pure Oil Jobbers Cooperative which markets fuel in 10 southeastern states. He has served two terms on the Pure Oil Board of Directors and is currently serving his second term on the board of the National Association of Truckstop Operators (NATSO).

Hays and his wife, Terri, have been married and working together for 36 years. They have one daughter, Karen, a teacher, and a son-in-law, Jordan Graham, who is a nurse. Hays has been a member of Northbrook Baptist Church since 1999 and has served on various committees including Stewardship, Properties and Long Range Planning.

Jacob Ryder, Peyton Oden and Carter Robinson display their treasure map after winning the SkillsUSA State Championship Wednesday.  (Photo Courtesy Mike Burkett/CATA)

CULLMAN COUNTY - Three Cullman Area Technology Academy (CATA) students whose SkillsUSA community service poster project was featured in a recent Tribune article (See www.cullmantribune.com/articles/2018/04/05/cata-students-map-way-career-...) won the State Championship this past Wednesday in Birmingham at the State SkillsUSA Competition.  Juniors Peyton Oden (Fairview High School), Carter Robertson (Fairview High School) and Jacob Ryder (Good Hope High School), who attend career tech classes at CATA, will go on to compete in the National SkillsUSA competition in Kentucky in June.   

CATA Building Construction Tech Teacher Mike Burkett described the project as “an educational tool that is part of a Community Service project for SkillsUSA, a leadership development organization for Career Technical Education students.  The work emphasizes the importance of Personal Skills as a part of an overall employment framework that also includes Workplace and Technical Skills. Their premise is that without adequate Personal Skills on day one of a new career, the other two just aren’t as essential to local employers.”

The three used a treasure map theme to appeal especially to students in the intermediate or middle school grades.  According to Burkett, “Studies show that personal skill development has the greatest impact on students in the middle school ages, and they carry that on into high school.”

In addition to the championship team, CATA had others competing at the state level.  Dustin Burney, Jordan King and Jason Peck placed second in State Chapter Display.  Other individuals and teams had entries in Individual Class Project Display, Chapter Display, Team Class Project Display and Promotional Bulletin Board.  CATA also sent a five-person Quiz Bowl team.

Said Burkett, “I am so very proud of all the CATA students who competed at SkillsUSA, and especially happy for the students who won and placed in their respective divisions.  They all worked very hard and responded well to adversity and pressure throughout the competition, all the while remaining respectful and responsible to everyone. We are very blessed with great students at CATA and in Cullman County.  I also want to express our gratitude to the many local business and political leaders, along with teachers, principals and parents, who supported our CATA students during their district and state SkillsUSA competitions.”

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

The Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) recognize and honor organizations and individuals who show their patriotism by properly displaying the American flag in our communities.

Here, Cullman SAR member Smokey Ferguson (left) presents an SAR plaque to Holly Pond Lions Club President Bartee Bryan.

SAR Members can trace their family ancestry back to a patriot in the American Revolution. If you are interested in the SAR, please contact Cullman Chapter President Ken Brown at 256-507-1121.

SIMCOE - A 3-year-old child was killed this morning in a camper fire in the community of Simcoe. The incident occurred on County Road 1670 at approximately 8:40 a.m.

Cullman County Coroner Jeremy L. Kilpatrick confirmed the fatality. "A 3-year-old did pass away in the fire. The child was pronounced dead at the scene."

The camper was on a property with a residence.

Volunteer fire fighters from Fairivew, Gold Ridge, Berlin and Holly Pond responded to the scene, along with Cullman EMS, the Cullman County Sheriff's Office and the Alabama Fire Marshal's Office.

This is a developing story.

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Local players try out one of the expansion games for “Betrayal at the House on the Hill” on International Tabletop Day at Cullman’s North Alabama Agriplex. (W.C. Mann for The Tribune)

CULLMAN - Gamers from around Cullman County and beyond gathered on Saturday at the North Alabama Agriplex to celebrate International Tabletop Day.  Families and friends played together, and total strangers got the opportunity to get acquainted around the table. Some brought their own games, and many picked from the huge selection of games available at the event.  Drawings gave away prizes, as did tournaments in the late afternoon and evening.

Siblings Boomer Barr and Leslie Sanders have hosted the event in Cullman for several years.

Barr shared with the Tribune: “International Tabletop Day was an event created by Wil Wheaton and Felicia Day, the people that started Geek and Sundry (an organization that describes itself as “the epicenter of gaming and lifestyle for pop culture fans with an independent spirit”), five years ago.  We started doing our International Tabletop Day four years ago, so this is our fourth year running.

“And basically, International Tabletop Day is designed so that people will get together and spend time with family and friends, playing board games.  Some people don’t always set aside time. A lot more people are getting introduced to board games, so that’s becoming a more prevalent thing.

“It also introduces people to new board games, because a lot of people, especially in America, when they look at board games, they think of Monopoly and Sorry, and Trouble, and all those Milton Bradley games that have never changed in all their life.  And this is introducing people to games: we have all sorts of games.”

The new generation of games is referred to as “tabletop” games, and they are not your grandparents’ board games.  Some games use traditional-style boards, while in other games players construct the board through the course of the game with cards.  There are also more pure card games, and role-playing games that create one-evening adventures based on fantasy games like Dungeons and Dragons.  There are action games and thinking games, and games geared toward various interests and almost all age groups.

If you’re interested in the new generation of games, Cullman has its own group led by Barr and Sanders that meets on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. at the Old Depot at 309 First Ave. NE downtown.  On the fourth Thursday of each month, they move over to Valhalla Comics at 1108 Fourth St. SW (US Highway 278).

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

From the Files of 1955

Earnest Swann has gone back to work at the American Bridge Company in Birmingham.

Mr. and Mrs. Earnest Hancock and boys spent the weekend with Mr. and Mrs. Buster Allred and family, in Decatur.

Mr. and Mrs. O.D. Haynes, of Auburndale, Florida, are visiting friends and relatives here this week.

Leroy Campbell spent a few days last week with Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Brown and Larry Dale, of Pleasant Grove.

Reverend J.B. Thompson has been ill and in the Jasper hospital.

Funeral services were held this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. for Mrs. Birdie Mae Glasscock, 78, who died at her residence, on June 15th. The Reverend J. Gilbert Speake conducted the services at Seventh Street Baptist Church.

Survivors are: seven sons, Troy, Fred, Louie, Rufus, Charles, Claiborn and Harold Glasscock; one daughter, Mrs. Pearlie Mae Thomas; fifteen grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Eli Davis and one brother, Eugene Harris.

Pound loaf of bread, 15 cents at Brothers. Ad.

The June 2nd Mystery Farm has been correctly identified as that of H.K. Tilley, of Route Four, Cullman.

This 102 acre farm was previously owned by Mr. Tilley’s father, L.A. “Bud” Tilley. However, the present owner has been on the farm for the last 30 years. He has 75 acres in cultivation, on which he raises cotton, plants of various kinds, cattle, hogs and Shetland ponies. He does most of his farming by tractor, but some by mules.

Before her marriage on April 19th, 1924, Mrs. Tilley was Maudie Gilland. They have four daughters: Mrs. Charles Dunn, of Route One, Vinemont, Mrs. James Logan, of Birmingham, Mrs. Jack Nix, of Route Six, Cullman and Mrs. Ben Hoenig, of Columbus, Georgia and one son, Dwight Tilley, of Route Four, Cullman.

The Tilleys are Baptist. He is a director of the Farmer’s Marketing and Exchange Association and she is a member of the Grandview Home Demonstration Club.

Fishing, boxing and all sports are listed by Mr. Tilley as his hobbies, while Mrs. Tilley says that traveling is her hobby. Last summer the Tilleys enjoyed a long motor trip through 16 states and into Canada.

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Freddie Day catering boiled up 500 lbs. of crawfish picked up fresh on the Gulf Coast by YP volunteers Saturday morning. (W.C. Mann for The Tribune)

CULLMAN - If you wanted to drop by Cullman’s own brewhouse, Goat Island, Saturday evening, you were in for a challenge and a treat. The challenge was finding somewhere to park, as vehicles packed parking lots and filled every nook and cranny up and down the lane going by the brewery.  The treat was the second annual United Way of Cullman County (UWCC) Young Professionals (YP) Crawfish Boil.

Around 5 a.m. Saturday, YP volunteers Dusty Baker, Alex Chaney, Jake Johnson and Ross West left Cullman and went down to the Gulf Coast to fetch 500 lbs. of fresh crawfish.  When they got back home, Freddie Day Catering started boiling up the mudbugs along with vegetables, getting them ready to serve when the event officially opened at 5 p.m.

Once the evening got underway, Goat Island was packed, and it stayed that way for most of the night.  Outside, caterers and volunteers worked away as diners lined up to get their plates. Inside, the BamaCountry Band played while patrons filled every table and crowded the bar in Goat Island’s Tap Room.

YP Board President Michael Gray explained to The Tribune, “We’re just raising money for 16 of our agencies that we have through UWCC that we support.  We just wanted to be part of the effort to build our community.

“We’ve had so many volunteers . . . It’s just incredible to see it all come together to build this community.”

Gray wanted to be sure to recognize the event sponsors, including: American Proteins, Merchants Bank, Leavitt Group and Payroll Services.

Tap Room Manager Brad Glenn talked about Goat Island’s two years of commitment to the fundraiser:

“This is our second one.  They contacted us last year; and of course, we’re a community-minded business.  Anything we can do to give back, we want to do that. Cullman has been so awesome to support us at every turn, and so, any time we can help, we want to help.”

Goat Island regularly serves as an event venue for parties and other celebrations, and hosts fundraisers for various organizations and causes though the year.

Where does the money go?

UWCC Assistant Director Becky Goff said, “United Way works year-round to reach the people who are underserved in our community, who need a hand up--we don’t give them a handout, we give them a hand up, and try to help them improve their lives so they can contribute back to our community.  They can be employed, educated, maybe some of them don’t have healthcare. They can get those needs met so they can get back to being a part of our community. So that’s what we do to try to work to give people an opportunity to improve their lives, and to make a contribution back.

“And we’re thankful to the businesses here in our community who come alongside us and support our effort.  We have probably right around 80 companies here in Cullman County that support us through payroll deductions and corporate gifts and fundraising.”

The UWCC’s Young Professionals Board, according to Gray, “was started to spread awareness for our age group, because a lot of times United Way is just--the big board, we like to call it--it’s a little bit older age range.  We’re trying to spread awareness for the next generation.”

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

New playground equipment at Carroll Acres Park (Cullman Parks and Recreation)

CULLMAN - Cullman Parks and Recreation will be unveiling its newest development, a brand new, state-of-the-art playground at Carroll Acres Park, with a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, May 1 at 4 p.m.

Parks and recreation board members, key staff and city council members will be on hand for the event, and the first 50 people in attendance will get a free grilled hotdog.

The new playground features net climbing material and other fun play elements for all ages.

Carroll Acres Park, located in the Carroll Acres subdivision, is at the corner of Briarwood Lane Southeast and Timberlane Drive Southeast. The park is the latest to get upgraded playground equipment. Stiefelmeyer Park and Culpepper Park also recently received new playgrounds. Work is also nearing completion on the huge new Connected Park playground at Ingle Park.

For more information, contact 256-734-9157 or info@cullmanrecreation.org. 

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LC. All Rights Reserved.

Aaron Mathis is a Wallace State Flight Technology

HANCEVILLE– Aaron Mathis has had a passion for flying as long as he can remember.

And, at only 22 years old, Mathis is making sure current Wallace State Flight Technology/Aviation students have the same opportunities.

Through Wallace State’s Future Foundation, Mathis has established a scholarship for future flight professionals. The inaugural scholarship will be awarded next month to a deserving Wallace State student.

“I was fortunate enough to earn a scholarship while at Wallace State and it helped my family tremendously. I’ve always wanted to be a flight instructor, and this is one way I can give back. My dad has always told me if someone ever gives you something, find a way to give back. I want to give students an extra boost to fulfill their hopes and degree,” Mathis said.

As a Wallace State student from August 2013-May 2015, Mathis shined in the Flight Technology/Aviation program and graduated with his multi-engine commercial license. After his two years at Wallace State, Mathis attended flight instructor training classes in Florida while living in Foley and earned the proper credentials to teach, while also enrolled at Athens State.

After instructing flight classes at multiple locations, including Wallace State, Mathis accepted a pilot/first officer position with PSA Airlines in July 2016. PSA flies under the brand name of American Eagle and is a regional airline under the American Airlines umbrella.

In high school, Mathis attended Pell City and was directed to Wallace State by one of his instructors.

“I was in my senior year and in flight school at the local airport in Pell City. I was told the best college options for aviation were between Auburn and Wallace State. I made a great choice. Flight training had always interested me, and it was even more important I could go to college, earn a degree and fly an airplane as a professional,” said Mathis, who graduated from Pell City in 2013 and Wallace State in 2015. “It was also the absolute perfect scenario for me financially as far as what I wanted to do for my career and pursuing a degree.”

As a pilot for American Eagle, Mathis has the privilege of flying through historic and majestic U.S. cities on a consistent basis. On one lengthy trip last week, Mathis flew through cities such as Portland, Ore., San Bernardino, Calif., Chandler, Ariz., Stephenville, Texas and Shreveport, La.

Mathis, who also earned a management of technology degree from Athens State, now lives in Charlotte, N.C., for his aerial career, but travels back to Pell City as frequently as possible.

While at Wallace State, Mathis earned the Richard Caretti Aviation Technology Scholarship through the Future Foundation. He is excited to return the favor in a couple of weeks when he’ll present his scholarship to an inaugural recipient.

“I’m ready to be a mentor to someone. That’s why I put this scholarship together. I want to guide them and help them reach their goals with efficiency and affordability,” Mathis said. “It will be full circle for me. Here I was just a few years ago receiving a scholarship, and now I’ll be handing one out.”

As Wallace State celebrates Community College Month, Mathis is proud to be an ambassador for the institution.

“Wallace State put me ahead of the curve. I’ve never thought what life would be like without the training I received at Wallace State and I don’t want to. I would still be working very hard, but I wouldn’t have nearly made the progress I did. The opportunities I’ve gained through Wallace State have been extremely beneficial.”

To learn more about Wallace State, visit www.wallacestate.edu.

Here’s a look at this week’s area tournament match-ups in softball.

Class 1A, Area 12 Tournament @ Meek:

No. 2 Addison v. No. 3 Lynn- Monday at noon

No. 4 Marion County/No. 5 Brilliant winner v. No. 1 Meek- Monday at 2 p.m.

Class 2A, Area 13 Tournament @ Cold Springs: 

No. 3 Winston County/ No. 2 Falkville winner v. No. 1 Cold Springs- Tuesday at noon

Class 3A, Area 11 Tournament @ Locust Fork:

No. 4 Susan Moore v. No. 1 Locust Fork- Tuesday at 1 p.m.

No. 3 Holly Pond v. No. 2 J.B. Pennington- Tuesday at 3 p.m.

The winner of each game will play on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Class 3A, Area 12 Tournament @ Carbon Hill:

No. 3 Hanceville v. No. 2 Oakman- Tuesday at 10 a.m.

No. 4 Vinemont v. No. 1 Carbon Hill- Tuesday at 11:30 a.m.

The winner of each game will play at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The loser of each game will play in the loser's bracket at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

Class 4A, Area 10 Tournament @ Cordova:

No. 3 Dora v. No. 2 Good Hope- Monday at 10 a.m.

Winner will play No. 1 Cordova at 11:30 a.m. on Monday.

Class 5A, Area 12 Tournament @ Hayden

No. 4 Fairview v. No. 1 Hayden- Tuesday at 2 p.m.

No. 3 West Point v. No. 2 Curry- Tuesday at 4 p.m.

The winner of each game will play on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

The loser of each game will play in the loser's bracket on Thursday at 2 p.m.

Class 6A, Area 14 Tournament @ Fort Payne:

No. 4 Brewer v. No. 1 Fort Payne- Tuesday at noon

No. 3 Cullman v. No. 2 Albertville- Tuesday at 2 p.m.

The winner of each game will play at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

The loser of each game will play in the loser's bracket at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

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SIMCOE - The child who died in a camper fire in Simcoe Sunday morning has been identified by Cullman County Coroner Jeremy L. Kilpatrick as Anthony Lynn Fitzgerald, 3.

Kilpatrick said the child was staying with an uncle in the camper.The incident occurred on County Road 1670 at approximately 8:40 a.m. The cause of the blaze has not been determined.

Kilpatrick confirmed the fatality early Sunday afternoon. "A 3-year-old did pass away in the fire. The child was pronounced dead at the scene."

The camper was on a property with a residence.

“The uncle stated he had left the camper to get a cup of coffee, and that’s when he noticed the fire,” said Kilpatrick.

The uncle, who has not been identified, pulled the child from the fire.

Volunteer fire fighters from Fairview, Gold Ridge, Berlin and Holly Pond responded to the scene, along with Cullman EMS, the Cullman County Sheriff's Office and the Alabama Fire Marshal's Office.

Fitzgerald’s body has been sent to Huntsville for autopsy.

The Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office is in charge of the investigation.

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

CULLMAN - An elderly man is being airlifted to an area hospital following an incident at the intersection of US Highway 278 and US Highway 31.

"Originally it came in as a pedestrian hit by a vehicle," said Cullman Police Chief Kenny Culpepper, "but what happened is an elderly man was helping someone push a disabled vehicle out of the intersection, and it rolled back on top of him."

Culpepper said a helicopter landed at East Elementary to transport the victim.

This is a developing story.

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Updated 4-30-18 at 5:40 p.m.

CULLMAN - The Cullman High School boys' soccer team has been disqualified from the remainder of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) State Playoffs, according to CHS Principal Kim Hall. Hall made the announcement Monday afternoon. In addition to the disqualification, the school has been fined, placed on probation for one year and ordered to forfeit its first-round playoff win against Oxford, according to Ron Ingram of the AHSAA.

"It has been determined that our men's soccer team will not be advancing in the state playoffs due to a violation of the AHSAA Outside Participation Rule. We are deeply disappointed and are saddened for our players, families and coaches," Hall said in a statement.

Ingram said in a statement, “Cullman played an ineligible student in violation of the AHSAA Outside Participation Rule found on page 24 of the 2017-18 AHSAA Handbook, which states a student who is a member of any school athletic team (grades 7-12) may not participate (includes practice) on a non-school team in the same sport during the school season in that sport.

“Oxford receives the win and will host Florence Tuesday night in the second round of the Class 6A state soccer playoffs. Cullman’s season is now completed.

“The probationary period is a warning that other violations of this nature could bring further sanctions against the school," concluded Ingram.

The Bearcats shut out Oxford, 2-0, in round one of the playoffs and were set to take on Florence Tuesday night in round two.

From the AHSAA Handbook:

SECTION 6. OUTSIDE PARTICIPATION RULE.
A student who is a member of any school athletic team (grades 7-12) may not participate (includes practice) on a non-school team in the same sport during the school season of that sport. A student who is a member of any member school athletic team may not participate on a non-school team's outside sport activity in the same sport during the school season of that sport.
Read more here.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for April 27-29. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.

GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear

Cullman County Sheriff’s Office

Amaro, Jacob Daniel, 20

• FTA- 20 days to register a vehicle
• FTA- speeding

Bentley, Amanda Dawn, 40

• public intoxication

Buxton, Paul Edward Jr., 41

• violation of domestic violence protection order

Criss, Tyler Phillip, 23

• attempting to elude
• running a red light
• speeding- more than is reasonable and prudent
• second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana

Duke, Jimmy Dean Jr., 22

• attempting to elude
• running a red light
• speeding- more than is reasonable and prudent
• second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana

Gouchtchine, Andrei Anatolya, 31

• FTA- driving while suspended
• FTA- improper equipment
• FTA- unlawful possession of a controlled substance

Hamby, Charles Edward, 26

• DUI- .08 BAC or greater
• fleeing/attempting to elude

Harbison, Ann Marie, 34

• illegal possession of prescription medicine
• public intoxication
• first-degree receiving stolen property
• unauthorized use of a vehicle

Jones, Blake Joseph, 22

• attempting to elude

Kennel, Brandon Christopher, 32

• FTA- possession of drug paraphernalia
• FTA- second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana
• FTA- unlawful possession of a controlled substance

Kilpatrick, Michael Shane, 49

• FTA- driving while revoked

Loggins, James Brian, 38

• possession of drug paraphernalia

Martin, Dannal Justin, 34

• writ of arrest- child support

McCrary, Gwendolyn Hadley, 38

• negotiating a worthless negotiable instrument

Minor, Henry Odes Montgomery, 38

• FTA- driving while suspended
• probation violation- unlawful possession of a controlled substance

Morrow, Chastan Dace, 35

• FTA- possession of drug paraphernalia
• FTA- unlawful possession of a controlled substance

Phillips, Alan David, 61

• allowing animals to run at large

Sherrell, Cameron Daniel, 21

• FTA- possession of drug paraphernalia

Swann, Nathaniel Barry, 32

• FTA- possession of drug paraphernalia
• FTA- fourth-degree theft of property
• second-degree bail jumping- possession of drug paraphernalia
• second-degree bail jumping- fourth-degree theft of property

Waid, Damon Bryant, 45

• FTA- negotiating a worthless negotiable instrument

Cullman Police Department

Peralta, Francisco S., 22

• FTA- driving while revoked

Wimbs, Shanna L., 38

• obstruction/using a false ID

Strickland, Ronnie J., 44

• public intoxication

Temples, Luanne, 63

• DUI

Hay, Zachary T., 23

• disorderly conduct

Webster, Melanie E., 37

• fourth-degree theft of property

Waid, Damon B., 45

• DUI
• FTA- possession of drug paraphernalia

Watson, Jade M., 21

• FTA- harassment

Yates, Jerome V., 41

• FTA- switched tag
• FTA- motorcycle helmet required

Hanceville Police Department

No arrests reported.

Find arrest reports online Monday-Friday at www.CullmanTribune.com.

Wallace State’s players hold up the ACCC Tournament championship trophy.

ALABASTER– Keeli Bobbitt has jump-started Wallace State softball’s offense from the leadoff spot all season.  

Once she hit her first collegiate home run leading off Sunday’s Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC)/Region 22 Tournament championship game, the Lions had a strong feeling it was going to be a profitable day.  

Indeed, it was. Wallace State’s softball team captured its fourth consecutive ACCC Tournament championship and 12th overall in the program’s history at Veterans Park in Alabaster with an 8-3 victory over Central Alabama. The top-seeded Lions (46-11) finished the three-day event with a perfect mark, extending their winning streak to 18 games.   

Bobbitt, one of 15 freshmen on the roster, finished the title game with a pair of hits and three RBIs, capping the scoring with a two-run single for late insurance runs. Bobbitt, an outfielder from Lamar County High, was named the Tournament MVP. She scored runs in all four games for Wallace State and added six RBIs.

“It felt great to get the game started off big. I surely wasn’t expecting a home run. As always, I just wanted to get on base and put pressure on the defense,” said Bobbitt, who entered the tournament hitting a team-best .432. “This is so exciting. I’ve never been a part of a championship like this.”

Bobbitt’s early homer allowed Wallace State freshman pitcher Meagan Schwieterman to settle in.

“We knew Keeli’s homer was gone right away. It helped us relax and come out on top,” Schwieterman said.  

Schwieterman, an All-Tournament selection, earned three victories on the mound in the tournament, including tossing a complete game on Sunday. The

freshman from Guntersville improved to 23-6 on the season.

“This is an incredible feeling and nothing like I’ve experienced on a softball field. I can’t wait to get to Utah for nationals,” Schwieterman said.  

With its fourth straight championship, Wallace State heads to the NJCAA Division I softball championship in St. George, Utah, on May 16-19. It’s the fourth straight national tournament appearance for Wallace State and 12th overall. The Lions have won two NJCAA Division I national championships (2013, 2008).  

Wallace State opened the ACCC Tournament with a 6-2 win over Marion Military Institute on Friday. The Lions prevailed 6-5 over Coastal Alabama-South in Saturday’s winner’s bracket game before registering a 5-2 victory over Central Alabama on Saturday night.

The Lions met the Lady Trojans again in Sunday’s championship and quickly grabbed an edge on Bobbitt’s home run.  

After adding a run in the second, Wallace State pushed its advantage to 6-1 in the third inning on a three-run triple by Sidney Edwards and a Tanner Robertson RBI single.  

Central Alabama scored a pair of runs on a two-run homer in the fifth, but a Bobbitt two-run single in the bottom of the inning earned those runs right back.

Schweiterman pitched a perfect seventh to seal the championship, marking the 33rd win in 34 games for Wallace State. The Lions have lost one game since March 8.  

“We didn’t play our best this weekend, but we knew we didn’t have to do anything extraordinary in the championship game. Even though I felt we had some butterflies on Friday, we wanted to go out and do us. All we needed to do was make the routine plays, throw strikes and put together good at bats,” said Wallace State second-year coach A.J. Daugherty. “I could sense when we walked into the park that we were ready to play. I could tell our players were hungry and you could see our confidence brewing as the tournament progressed. They took care of business, and I’m proud of that.”  

Despite their lofty record and hot streak entering the tournament, the Lions felt a bit slighted as they arrived in Alabaster.

“The word and rumor was we weren’t as good as Wallace State has been. We took that as a challenge and played with a chip on our shoulder,” Daugherty said. “I’m not sure we are loaded with the most talent, but we’re about Wallace State. We are all on board to do whatever it takes to win. It takes everyone buying in from the six sophomores to our freshmen. We had the only sophomores in the park who knew what it took to win a conference championship.”

Sophomores Tanner Robertson and Caroline Burns joined Bobbitt and Schweiterman on the All-Tournament team.  

Burns, a transfer from UAH, settled into the middle of the lineup in early March and never relinquished a spot in the order. She had the go-ahead two-run single in Saturday’s win over Central Alabama. 

“I knew I wanted to be out there and did everything I could to take advantage of the opportunity. It’s great to know all of our hard work paid off in the end,” Burns said.

Fellow sophomore Charlee West slugged a pair of homers among the four tournament wins, helping earn her second championship in a Wallace State uniform.

“This one is a bit more special because I’m a sophomore, and it’s my last year here. We only had five returners, and we did our best to lead the freshmen and calm them down early in the season when we weren’t playing great,” said West, a Prattville native. “For whatever reason, people doubted us here this weekend. We didn’t let it bother us. We just tried to prove ourselves.  

Jodie Farnetti, Madison Grant and Taylor Stalnaker are also among the sophomores.

Daugherty also credited assistant coach Sallie Beth Burch for her efforts in helping the 15 freshmen mature throughout the course of the season. Burch was a key player on the first Wallace State team to win a national crown in 2008.

“I’m so grateful for Sallie’s Beth’s help. She’s a huge part of our success. We wouldn’t be here without her,” Daugherty said. 

For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit www.athletics.wallacestate.edu.

CULLMAN COUNTY - An Arab man died as a result of a single-vehicle crash Monday evening in Cullman County.

According to Alabama State Troopers, Boyd Browning, 64, was seriously injured when the 1989 Chevrolet pickup he was driving left the roadway on U.S. Highway 231 and overturned. Browning, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected. He was transported to an area hospital where he later died.

The crash occurred at approximately 6:30 p.m., 3 miles south of Arab.

Nothing further is available as Alabama State Troopers continue to investigate.

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