CULLMAN, Ala. – Below are the arrests and incidents reported on March 14, 2019. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.

GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear

Cullman County Sheriff’s Office

Incidents

March 11

• menacing; CR 609
• unlawful breaking and entering of a motor vehicle; CR 222
• criminal mischief; CR 1725
• theft of property; CR 1564
• theft of property; Hwy. 157
• theft of property; Smith Lake Park
• harassment; CR 1725

March 12

• giving false name to a law enforcement officer; Wesley Ave. N
• possession of drug paraphernalia; CR 216
• theft of property; Moehring Rd.
• burglary; CR 1612
• trespassing; CR 105
• domestic violence; CR 1668
• theft of property; Hwy. 91
• theft of property; CR 437

March 13

• trespassing; CR 425
• possession of drug paraphernalia; CR 578
• violation of protection order; CR 650
• harassment; CR 775
• harassment; CR 1141
• theft of property; CR 490
• unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, illegal possession of prescription drugs, unlawful possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia; Hwy. 31
• unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia; Garden City Park
• trespassing; CR 425

Arrests

March 11

Brown, Dayron Daniel, 44

• FTA- fourth-degree theft of property

Burns, Kie Jeffery, 19

• FTA- public intoxication

Butler, Daniel Lee, 37

• third-degree domestic violence- harassment

Henderson, Sheila Ann, 51

• FTA- illegal possession of prescription medicine

Knighten, Jennifer Suzette, 33

• GJ- contributing to the delinquency of a minor
• GJ- interference with custody

Laney, Brandon Christopher, 23

• court appearance

Sanders, John H., 73

• negotiating a worthless negotiable instrument (2 counts)

Wilbanks, Martha Lynn, 41

• FTA- third-degree criminal trespassing

March 12

Addison, Kayla Mae, 26

• possession of drug paraphernalia

Adkins, John Paul, 30

• probation denied- first-degree sexual abuse

Clark, Jamie Ray, 42

• probation denied- first-degree assault

Giles, Jacob Levi, 27

• FTA- possession of drug paraphernalia

Gordon, Erica Sharee Overton, 29

• giving false name to law enforcement officer

McNabb, Robert Wayne, 39

• violation of a domestic violence protection order

Millwood, Joshua E., 28

• FTA- harassing communications
• FTA- unauthorized use/unlawful breaking and entering of a motor vehicle

Sandlin, Dallas Chase, 21

• possession of drug paraphernalia

Widner, Kristin Lynn, 47

• DUI- alcohol and controlled substance

March 13

Campbell, Kim Marie, 45

• second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana

Carter, Christopher Lee, 51

• possession of drug paraphernalia
• possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance
• illegal possession of prescription medicine
• second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana
• unlawful possession of a controlled substance

Clark, William Bennett, 62

• violation of protection order

Crenshaw, Ashley Renee, 27

• FTA- second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana

Fowler, Jeremy Lee, 38

• sex offender failure to register termination- SORNA

Griffin, Kera Beth, 23

• possession of drug paraphernalia
• possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance
• illegal possession of prescription medicine
• second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana
• unlawful possession of a controlled substance

Jenkins, Dustin Michael Edward, 28

• possession of drug paraphernalia
• possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance
• illegal possession of prescription medicine
• second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana
• unlawful possession of a controlled substance

Lambert, Kimberly Roshell, 39

• possession of drug paraphernalia
• possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance
• illegal possession of prescription medicine
• second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana
• unlawful possession of a controlled substance

Lang, Adam Wesley, 37

• FTA- writ of arrest- child support

Lang, Frank Scott, 47

• possession of drug paraphernalia
• possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance
• illegal possession of prescription medicine
• second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana
• unlawful possession of a controlled substance

Malone, Kenneth Don, 58

• GJ- murder

Natello, Connolly Claire, 24

• public intoxication

Orourke, Jacob Michael, 27

• unlawful possession of a controlled substance

Scott, Sara Katel Lynn, 23

• possession of drug paraphernalia

Smith, Skipper, 50

• writ of arrest- child support

Staton, Marissa Nicole, 18

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

Weaver, Coty Lee, 29

• FTA- first-degree criminal trespassing
• FTA- public intoxication
• FTA- unlawful breaking and entering of a vehicle

Weldon, Tracy Michelle, 44

• possession of drug paraphernalia

Woods, Arron Blake, 18

• FTA- first-degree theft of property (2 counts)

Cullman Police Department

Incidents

• duty upon striking an unattended vehicle; person; Town Square Shopping Center; damage to ’13 Hyundai; $1,000

Arrests

Burnett, Brian C., 31

• FTA- possession of drug paraphernalia

Hilburn, David W., 53

• third-degree domestic violence- harassment
• providing false information to a law enforcement officer

Trammell, Donald W., 43

• aggravated stalking
• second-degree stalking

Weaver, Coty L., 29

• unlawful breaking and entering of a motor vehicle

Hanceville Police Department

No incidents or arrests reported.

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

AHSAA Director of Publications Kim Vickers presents Vinemont High School Assistant Principal Todd Johnson with the new AED device in Montgomery Thursday morning. (photo courtesy of Todd Johnson)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Vinemont High School Assistant Principal Todd Johnson made the trip to the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) offices in Montgomery Thursday morning and came back with some new medical equipment for the Vinemont campus. Johnson received a free AED (automated external defibrillator) and AED station from the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) and his was one of 13 applications that were accepted in the state.

Johnson is excited to be able to bring this new equipment back to campus and feels very fortunate to be one of the few schools that get to take advantage of this program.

“It’s coming from the NFHS, Davis Whitfield is the CFO and they started a program where they give out 13 AEDs across the state of Alabama,” Johnson said. “I believe I was told today that there were 143 that applied or wrote a letter of need and we were one of just 13 to receive one so that was pretty exciting.”

There was an AED on campus at Vinemont already but by adding another one, Johnson feels even better about the safety of the students on campus.

“It makes our campus safer. We only had one and we had to split it between the high school gym and the field house. Our county nurse was able to acquire one after I had already applied for this so we had that one but we needed one in the agriculture shop and for the baseball field so our campus will be totally covered now,” Johnson said. “There will be one in the middle school, one at the elementary school, we’ll have one at the field house, one at the gym and we’ll have one covering the back part of our campus with the ag. shop and the baseball field.”

Obviously, no one wants to see the equipment put to use but if that ever becomes necessary, Johnson is happy to know that that the entire campus is covered and ready for that possibility.

“I pray that we never have to use them but if the situation ever arises, we’ll be covered.”

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $700,000 grant for a new way to help victims of sexual abuse and violent crime better cope with the fallout and the anxieties that can come with criminal justice proceedings.

The Office of Prosecution Services is using grant funds to place Certified Facility Dogs throughout the state. Four facilities in Chilton, Houston, Montgomery and Madison counties will house, train, transport and care for the service dogs who can be deployed to any of the 67 counties in Alabama. District attorneys across the state can request the service dogs to assist in the emotional needs of victims. For example, a service dog can help a young victim of abuse feel more comfortable when having to recount details of the abuse in the criminal justice system.

“The trauma of violent crime and abuse can leave lasting emotional scars on victims, especially the young. Emotional support animal programs can be an excellent way to help victims cope with the stress and trauma associated with the crimes and the judicial process that follows,” Ivey said. “I commend the Office of Prosecution Services for establishing this program to assist victims through a very difficult time in their lives.”

The grant funds will also be used for administrative costs associated with the animals and their handlers, including transportation to and from service areas. The Office of Prosecution Services is contributing $250,000 in matching funds to supplement the grant.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Justice Department.

 “I stand with Gov. Ivey in her commitment to helping victims of crime in all aspects of the recovery process,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “By helping victims of all ages handle stress and trauma more effectively, this program can a big difference in the recovery process.”

ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.

Ivey notified Barry Matson, OPS executive director, that the grant had been approved.

Image courtesy of Pixabay

The roof was torn off the White City Community Center during a storm Thursday evening. (Nick Griffin for The Cullman Tribune)

WHITE CITY, Ala.- White City's voting precinct has been moved to the Johnson's Crossing Volunteer Fire Department, the Cullman County Commission decided during an emergency meeting Friday morning. The move is due to significant damage to the White City Community Center, which had served as the voting precinct, in Thursday evening's storms and comes just days ahead of the March 19 school tax referendum.

The roof was torn off the White City Community Center and a home next door suffered substantial damage. Multiple trees were downed. The Cullman County Sheriff's Office also reported downed power lines. Cullman Emergency Management Agency Director Phyllis Little reported a mobile home on County Road 609 damaged by a tree and downed trees on County Road 766 near Welti. No injuries have been reported.

The National Weather Service in Huntsville will determine if the damage in White City was due to a tornado. As for the future of the community center, that is unclear. The structure is being evaluated, according to Cullman County Emergency Management Agency Director Phyllis Little.

The Johnson's Crossing Volunteer Fire Department is located at 1544 County Road 617, Hanceville, Alabama 65077.

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(Left) Lauren Grace Evans, 2019 Fair Queen Representative and (right) Kylie Hawkins, 2018-2019 Miss Southerner (Cullman High School)

Cullman High School wishes to congratulate the following winners from our 2018-2019 Miss Southerner Pageant and 2019 Fair Queen Representative Pageant.

2018-2019 Miss Southerner - Kylie Hawkins

Miss Southerner Miss Congeniality - Adrionna Cox

Miss Southerner Miss Photogenic - Cailyn Sorrow

Miss Southerner 3rd Alternate - Emily Little

Miss Southerner 2nd Alternate - Isabella Allred

Miss Southerner 1st Alternate - Shelby Sessions

Top Ten: Kylie Hawkins, Shelby Sessions, Isabella Allred, Emily Little, Morgan Dingler, Brooke Cagle, Ali Burlison, Abbie Allison, Josie Rice and Caleigh Echols

2019 Fair Queen Representative - Lauren Grace Evans

Fair Queen Miss Congeniality - Moriah Wilhite

Fair Queen Talent Winner - Reagan Martin

Fair Queen 2nd Alternate - Reagan Martin

Fair Queen 1st Alternate - Isabella Allred

CULLMAN, Ala. - Below are the arrests and incidents reported on March 15, 2019. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.

GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear

Cullman County Sheriff’s Office

No incidents or arrests reported.

Cullman Police Department

Incidents

March 12

• third-degree criminal trespassing; City of Cullman; Hickory Ave. SW

March 13

• third-degree criminal mischief; Westrock; 22nd St. SE; damaged property; $380

March 14

• second-degree theft of property; person; 4th St. SW; picture; $2,000
• fourth-degree theft of property; Belk; Cullman Shopping Center; clothing; $126

Arrests

March 14

Morton, Alexander S., 20

• FTA- fourth-degree theft of property

Landers, Doyle W., 37

• possession of drug paraphernalia

Pugh, Ashley C., 19

• unlawful possession or receipt of a controlled substance
• possession of drug paraphernalia

Frederick, David R., 23

• unlawful possession or receipt of a controlled substance
• possession of drug paraphernalia
• brass knuckles

Hanceville Police Department

No incidents or arrests reported.

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

From left are District Manager Nicky Suggs; Executive Vice President of Marketing Al Dees; Agent Grahem Meharg and his wife, Tara; Alfa Insurance President Jimmy Parnell; and Senior Vice President of Marketing for North Alabama Tim Timmons.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Alfa Insurance Agent Grahem Meharg of Hanceville was recently honored with the 2018 Agent of the Year Award for Alabama during the company's annual awards ceremony. He also received the Distinguished Service Award - Gold Level.

The ceremony, held Feb. 19 at the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre in Montgomery, recognized Alfa's best agents and managers for their dedicated service and commitment to policyholders.

Meharg has served as an Alfa agent since 2014. He represents the company's full line of insurance for auto, home, life and business.

Meharg and his wife of 17 years, Tara, have two children — Madisyn, 15, and Grayson, 10. The Mehargs are active members of Holly Pond First Baptist Church.

Alfa and its affiliates provide insurance and other financial services to nearly 1 million customers in 11 states. Learn more at www.AlfaInsurance.com.

Wallace State's Women's Golf Team finished in first place at the Jefferson State Invitational and sophomore Michaela Bryan captured her fourth career individual low medalist honor at Wallace State with a 15-over par 159. (photo courtesy of Russell Moore)

HANCEVILLE, ALA. -- Wallace State’s women’s golf team prevailed this week in the Jefferson State Invitational at Oxmoor Valley, and sophomore Michaela Bryan earned low medalist honors, winning the tournament by nine strokes.

As a group, Wallace State won the tournament by 45 strokes after being tied with Marion Military Institute after the first round.

Bryan captured her fourth career individual low medalist honor at Wallace State with a 15-over par 159. Among her four individual titles, Bryan was the 2018 ACCC Tournament low medalist.

Wallace State’s Maci Yeager, who recently signed with Faulkner University, finished tied for fourth overall, earning her a spot on the All-Tournament team. Yeager carded a 175.

Paige Lemm placed tied for sixth for the Lady Lions and Claire Newby was eighth overall. Abby Grimes rounded out the field for Wallace State.

The Lady Lions, the two-time defending ACCC champions, play at Goosepond Colony in Scottsboro this weekend.

Wallace State tennis

Wallace State’s men’s tennis team hosts Gadsden State today after notching a 6-3 match win over Shorter University this week.

Wallace State’s Sebastian Arce (6-2, 6-1), Andrew Bizilia (6-3, 3-6, 6-2) and Will Brackin earned singles victories against Shorter. The Lions swept doubles action behind the duos of Arce and Brackin, Nick Hester and Ethan Aycock, and Bizilia and Ben Hicks.

In women’s action against Shorter, Haley Putman earned a singles victory. Kailee Upchurch and Crissy Cruz won in doubles for the Lady Lions.

Additionally this week, Wallace State’s women’s team remained undefeated in Alabama Community College Conference action with an 8-1 victory over Snead State. The Lady Lions are ranked No. 24 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association NJCAA rankings.

After today’s men’s match, both teams are at home Sunday vs. East Central Mississippi beginning at 1 p.m.

Wallace State baseball

Wallace State’s baseball team has won five of its first six ACCC games after splitting a doubleheader with Lawson State on Wednesday. The teams wrap up the series in Birmingham on Saturday, beginning at noon.

Wallace State’s Jerry Dale Bowman, a freshman from Smiths Station, tossed his second straight complete game in the Lions’ 9-3 victory in Wednesday’s second game. Bowman (4-0) scattered three runs on six hits in seven innings, striking out five and walking five batters.

Freshman Brennan McCollough finished 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored for the Lions; Easton Kirk had two doubles and two RBIs; Noah Fondren was 2-for-2 with three RBIs; Ty Hill had a double among his two hits and an RBI; Kevin Dowdell had a pair of hits, including a double, and an RBI and Brady Sherrill contributed two hits, including a double.

Collin Rogers singled, scored two runs and had a stolen base, while Jack Haney singled and scored.

The Lions (9-6, 5-1 ACCC) dropped Wednesday’s opener, 4-1.

Kirk accounted for Wallace State’s lone run with a solo homer – his fourth of the season.

Fondren, Hill, Sherrill and Trevor Houston each added singles.

For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit www.athletics.wallacestate.edu or the athletics Facebook page at www.wallacestate.edu/athleticsfb.

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An uprooted tree is seen on County Road 617 in White City Thursday, March 14, 2019. (Gary McGriff for The Cullman Tribune)

CULLMAN, Ala. - The National Weather Service has determined that it was a tornado that caused all of the damage in Cullman County between White City and Holly Pond Thursday evening. It says more details will be released later Friday.

The roof was torn off the White City Community Center and a home next door suffered substantial damage. Multiple trees were downed. The Cullman County Sheriff's Office also reported downed power lines. Cullman Emergency Management Agency Director Phyllis Little reported a mobile home on County Road 609 damaged by a tree and downed trees on County Road 766 near Welti. The Jet-Pep home office in Holly Pond also suffered severe damage. No injuries were reported.

White City's voting precinct has been moved to the Johnson's Crossing Volunteer Fire Department, the Cullman County Commission decided during an emergency meeting Friday morning. The move is due to significant damage to the White City Community Center, which had served as the voting precinct. The change comes just days ahead of the March 19 school tax referendum.The structure is being evaluated, according to Cullman County Emergency Management Agency Director Phyllis Little. The Johnson's Crossing Volunteer Fire Department is located at 1544 County Road 617, Hanceville, Alabama 65077.

This is a developing story.

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Johnny Wayne Johnson (Cullman County Sheriff’s Office)

CULLMAN, Ala. -  A Cullman man has been charged with trafficking after Cullman County Sheriff’s deputies allegedly recovered approximately 41 grams of methamphetamine, almost 5 grams of heroin, marijuana and other drug paraphernalia during a search of his car.

Johnny Wayne Johnson, 34, was arrested Thursday and charged with trafficking in illegal drugs, trafficking in methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.     

A press release from the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) said deputies received several calls from citizens about a person on County Road 1435 (Eva Road) knocking on doors asking for clothing. The release said deputies located the suspect, later identified as Johnson, in the Dollar General parking lot on County Road 1435 near the intersection of Alabama Highway 157.  The deputies then conducted a search of the car Johnson was driving.

“This is our second major drug bust in just as many days,” said Sheriff Matt Gentry. “I believe we as a sheriff’s office are sending a message to drug dealers that if you come to Cullman County to sell drugs in our community, you will be arrested. I know I say this a lot, but I am truly grateful for the job all of our deputies do on a daily basis and I know the citizens of Cullman County are grateful as well.”

Johnson has made bond.    

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The Cullman County Commission met Friday in a special session to declare a state of emergency. (Christy Perry for The Cullman Tribune)

CULLMAN, Ala. - The Cullman County Commission on Friday declared a state of emergency due to damages to property from severe storms, a tornado, flooding and other causes Thursday. The emergency declaration allows the County to seek aid from state and federal agencies. It also gives local agencies broader scope in assisting with cleanup. For example, the emergency declaration will allow the County to remove debris from rights-of-way.

Commissioner Garry Marchman explained, “Most of the storm damage was in the White City and Holly Pond areas, but the emergency is for storm damages countywide.” 

MORE:

www.cullmantribune.com/articles/2019/03/14/damage-storms-roll-through-ar...

www.cullmantribune.com/articles/2019/03/15/white-city-voting-precinct-mo...

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A mangled tree is seen in front of a damaged home on County Road 617 in White City  on Friday, March 15, 2019.  (Nick Griffin for The Cullman Tribune)

CULLMAN, Ala. - The National Weather Service (NWS) on Friday determined that it was an EF1 tornado with peak winds of 105 mph that touched down in Cullman County between White City and Holly Pond Thursday evening.

The NWS released the results of its storm survey on Friday. It said the tornado’s path was 11.01 miles long and 112 yards wide.

4:26pm Cullman Co Survey update: Between White City & Holly Pond
Rating: EF-1
Peak Wind: 105 mph
Length: 11.07 mi
Width: 112 yrds#HUNwxpic.twitter.com/VROyvwSihQ

— NWS Huntsville (@NWSHuntsville) March 15, 2019

The roof was torn off the White City Community Center and a home next door suffered substantial damage. Multiple trees were downed. The Cullman County Sheriff's Office also reported downed power lines. Cullman Emergency Management Agency Director Phyllis Little reported a mobile home on County Road 609 severely damaged by a tree and downed trees on County Road 766 near Welti. The Jet-Pep home office in Holly Pond also suffered severe damage. No injuries were reported.

The Cullman County Commission jumped quickly into action Friday, holding two emergency sessions.

The first was to move White City's voting precinct to the Johnson's Crossing Volunteer Fire Department. The damaged White City Community Center had served as the area’s voting precinct. The change comes just days ahead of the March 19 school tax referendum.

The Johnson's Crossing Volunteer Fire Department is located at 1544 County Road 617, Hanceville, Alabama 65077.

The second was to declare a state of emergency due to damages to property from severe storms, a tornado, flooding and other causes. The emergency declaration allows the County to seek aid from state and federal agencies. It also gives local agencies broader scope in assisting with clean up. For example, the emergency declaration allows the County to remove debris from rights-of-way. 

Commissioner Garry Marchman explained, “Most of the storm damage was in the White City and Holly Pond areas, but the emergency is for storm damages countywide.” 

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Kenneth Don Malone (Cullman County Sheriff’s Office)

CULLMAN, Ala. - Kenneth Don Malone, 58, of Guntersville was indicted in February for murder in the shooting death of Joshua Adam White, 35, also of Guntersville. The shooting happened on Monday, July 16, 2018 at a residence in the New Canaan community in Cullman County. Following the indictment, Malone turned himself in to the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) this week.

Court records show that a Cullman County grand jury in February found that Malone “did, on or about July 16, 2018 intentionally cause the death” of White by “shooting him with a revolver.”

Details were scarce the evening of the incident, but the CCSO confirmed the next morning that White died after being transported to Huntsville Hospital.

In a statement on July 17, 2018, the CCSO said it received a 911 call just before 8 p.m. Monday night (July 16) about an altercation at a residence near the Cullman County, Marshall County and Blount County lines. During the initial investigation, CCSO investigators learned that one individual had shot another individual at the residence.

The evidence was turned over to the Cullman County District Attorney's Office and on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018 Malone was arrested.

Malone had been out on bond since his initial arrest last year.

His new bond was set at $50,000 property. He has since been released.

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Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman is seen here with supporters in Cullman on June 5, 2018. (Cullman Tribune file photo)

On Tuesday, Governor Kay Ivey signed the Rebuild Alabama plan (House Bill 2) into law—understandably, this measure to increase Alabama’s investment in infrastructure has received a lot of attention. Alabama’s gas tax has been 18 cents since 1992, when Cullman’s own Guy Hunt occupied the Governor’s Mansion.

I want to lay out the facts about the Rebuild Alabama plan, and why I supported it.

First, it is clear that many of Alabama’s roads and bridges are mediocre to poor shape. In 2015, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave Alabama’s roads a D+ grade. There are over 16,000 bridges in Alabama, 7,000 of which are 50 years and older. The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) has declared 1,229 bridges to be “structurally deficient.” In 2016, Alabama had the second-highest per capita traffic fatality rate in the nation—2,031 people died on Alabama’s roads from 2016-2017. The Society of Civil Engineers blames one-third of those deaths on the condition of Alabama’s roads.

Here’s another statistic that hits close to home for me, as a father of two sons still in school: 375,000 kids ride school buses each week in Alabama, and in many counties, school bus drivers have to go miles out of their way to avoid unsafe bridges. Alabama’s chronically under-funded roads and bridges are endangering the lives of our loved ones. 

Second, Alabama’s crumbling infrastructure has a negative effect on our ability to compete for jobs with neighboring states. Coming into 2019, Alabama had the lowest gasoline tax rate in the Southeast; even Mississippi had a higher rate. Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Arkansas, and South Carolina all fund infrastructure more than we do. According to a 2017 survey by Area Development Magazine, highway accessibility is the number one factor corporate executives consider when evaluating a potential business site. Alabama has had one hand tied behind its back, as we have gone toe-to-toe with neighboring states for new industry.

Here is a brief summary of what the Rebuild Alabama plan does: it increases the state gasoline and diesel tax by 6 cents this year, 2 cents in 2020, and 2 cents in 2021. Beginning in 2023, it also links the gas rate to a national index; but the rate could not increase or decrease by more than 1 cent every two years. This investment in our state’s future will cost the average Alabama driver an additional 15 cents a day, or about the same as a cup of coffee every two weeks.

The 10-cent increase will mean $320 million annually in new infrastructure money for roads, bridges, and the Port of Mobile—and every single county and town in the state will see additional money. For instance, according to information provided by the Governor’s Office, the Cullman County Commission will receive an additional $1.2 million annually for roads and bridges.

Let me say a brief word about the Port of Mobile’s funding, which will be about $11.7 million out of the total $320 million. Every single county in Alabama has workers and businesses that rely on the Port to export their products. Poultry, cotton, timber, coal, and many other Alabama industries use the Port to sell Alabama’s products to the world. In 2018 alone, $2 billion of Alabama coal was exported via the Port, and on average we export $420 million of poultry products.  

Senator Richard Shelby, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, has indicated that he can work with President Trump and Congress to secure $3 in federal resources for every $1 the state puts towards the Port. Using a small portion of infrastructure dollars to match federal grants to deepen and improve the Port is important for job growth across the state, especially since Alabama and Mobile are competing with ports in Miami, Houston, and Savannah.

I co-sponsored a bill, which Governor Ivey signed into law, that puts in place strict accountability measures for how ALDOT can spend this money—the revenue from the Rebuild Alabama plan can go to infrastructure projects, and infrastructure alone. Governor Ivey strongly agreed with the Legislature on this point, and as a safe-guard, we included language in the law that strictly limits the use of this money to road and bridge projects as well as the Port of Mobile.

During legislative debate at the Statehouse, Representative Randall Shedd and I supported two amendments to the bill: the first would have given low-income folks an income tax refund against the gas tax, and the second would have sunset the gasoline index. The amendments were tabled, but I received assurances from Senate leadership that both ideas would be given ample consideration in the regular session that resumes on March 19th.

Starting in January, all county commissions and towns and cities will receive direct appropriations from the Rebuild Alabama plan for road and bridge projects. As a conservative, my priority is making sure that the core responsibilities of state government—law enforcement, infrastructure, and high-quality schools and colleges—are accomplished as efficiently as possible. The Rebuild Alabama plan is a fiscally-responsible investment in new roads, and a better future, for all Alabamians. 

Garlan Gudger, a Republican, represents State Senate District 4, which is comprised of all or parts of Cullman, Lawrence, Marion, and Winston counties. 

Bailey Quick got the start for the Raiders and held J.B. Pennington scoreless for six innings, giving him his second win of the season on the mound. (Nick Griffin for The Cullman Tribune) 

GOOD HOPE, Ala.– The Raiders hosted J.B. Pennington for a Friday night matchup and the Tigers nearly came from behind in the seventh inning, but Good Hope managed to hold on and win it 5-3. Bailey Quick got the start for the Raiders and held J.B. Pennington scoreless for six innings, giving him his second win of the season on the mound.

After two scoreless innings, Preston Bagwell gave Good Hope a 1-0 lead with an RBI single in the bottom of the third. In the fourth, Paydon Bagwell stretched the lead to 3-0 with an RBI double and a sacrifice fly from Austin Wright made it 4-0 going into the fifth inning.

Another sacrifice fly from Wright extended the lead to 5-0 in the sixth and gave Good Hope a comfortable lead heading into the final frame. Things got a little shaky in the top of the seventh when three RBI singles cut the lead to two, but Matt Hancock was able to get the final out on the mound and the Raiders won it 5-3 on their home field.

Good Hope recorded just two hits in the win, coming from Preston and Paydon Bagwell. Wright also posted two RBIs for the Raiders. Good Hope will look to keep things rolling in the right direction when it travels to Fairview on Tuesday.

Other Friday night scores:

Cullman 4 – Hoover 0 (baseball)

Cooper Beck made things difficult for the Bucs during their matchup with Cullman on Friday and his performance on the mound helped lift the ‘Cats to a shutout win on the road. Beck put together a no-hitter in the win over Hoover, walking one and collecting eight strikeouts. Peyton Colvard went 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs in the win and Brennen Norton (two hits) drove in a run as well.

Holly Pond 10 – Falkville 6 (baseball)

The Blue Devils held a 4-0 advantage going into the fourth inning, but the Broncos rallied and caught fire at the plate to come from behind and win it 10-6. Andrew Light was 2-for-3 with three RBIs in the win and Jacob Ring and Alex Corneglio each drove in a pair of runs as well.

Cold Springs 12 – Oakman 2 (baseball)

Oakman took a 2-0 lead early, but the Eagles tied the game in the third inning and moved ahead for good in the fourth. Lawson Burgess finished 3-for-4 at the plate for Cold Springs. Brylan Aaron was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and Ayden Alexander, Jake Abbott and Logan Rice each added two RBIs in the win.        

Hanceville 18 – Fultondale 2 (baseball)

The Bulldogs took all the drama out of this one right out of the gate by plating 12 runs in the first two innings and they cruised to an 18-2 rout of Fultondale the rest of the way. Tate Brown, TJ Kubia, Zach Campbell and Kainen Cruce each collected two RBIs for Hanceville in the win. Mark Dyer got the start and the win on the mound after tossing three spotless innings and racking up eight strikeouts.

Decatur 4 – Cullman 1 (boys’ soccer)

The Bearcats dropped their Friday night home matchup against the Raiders 4-1. Washington Sheffield scored the only goal of the game for Cullman.

West Point 6 – Corner 2 (softball)

After taking a 4-0 lead through three innings, the Lady Warriors held the Corner bats at bay and pulled away to win it 6-2. Makayla Brown led the way for West Point offensively by going 2-for-2 at the plate with three RBIs. Gracie Abbott also finished 2-for-2 at the plate and Molly Pendley and Sydney Sellers each drove in a run.

West Point 5 – Lamar County 2 (softball)

The Lady Warriors took the lead over Lamar County in the top of the first and never gave it up. Molly Pendley was 2-for-2 with two RBIs at the plate and Sydney Sellers (one RBI), Carlie Wilkins, Makayla Brown, Bethany Minck and Gracie Thompson each recorded a hit for West Point in the win.

Lexington 6 – Vinemont 3 (softball)

The Lady Eagles plated three runs in the opening frame of this one, but Lexington took a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the first and never gave the lead back. The Lady Golden Bears pulled away to win it 6-3. Maddie Oliver, Hailee Moore and MacKenzie Lawrence recorded the only hits of the game for Vinemont and Emma Dortch finished with one RBI.

Cullman 6 – Pope John Paull II 3 (softball)

The Lady Bearcats jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first two innings and Pope John Paul II was never able to catch up. Cullman pulled away to win it 6-3. McKenna Kline (two RBIs) and Faith Guest (two RBIs) collected the only two hits in the win for the Lady Bearcats.

Meek 2 – Dora 2 (softball)

After a pair of scorless innings, the Lady Tigers tacked on a run in the bottom of the third, but Dora took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth. Meek managed to bring one more run across the plate in the bottom half of the inning to force the tie. Bailee Fincher collected both hits of the game and an RBI for the Lady Tigers. Autumn Peek went all five innings on the mound, allowing two runs on two hits and picking up four strikeouts.

Sulligent 6 – Cold Springs 2 (softball)

Sulligent took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third and the Lady Eagles were never able to overcome that deficit and fell on the road 6-2. Kylon Hamby finished 2-for-3 at the plate for Cold Springs.

Copyright 2019 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Helen L. Stephens was born on Dec. 1, 1941 and passed away on March 14, 2019.

Funeral Service for Cordis Edward Brannan, age 87, of Cullman, will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 17, 2019, at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home with Rev. Samuel Tucker, Keith Hawkins, and Jim Gore officiating; interment in Welti Cemetery.

Cullman Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Brannan passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2019, at Cullman Regional. He was born June 16, 1931, to Roy and Lilor Brannan.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Venora Ray and Inez Johnson; and infant son, Christopher Brannan.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, June Cathryn Brannan; sons, Steve Brannan, Joel (Pat) Brannan, and David (Denise) Brannan; daughters, Marsha (Jim) Gore and Teresa (David) Ellis; 17 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and brother, Hollis Brannan.

Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, 2019, at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home.

Funeral Service for Genora Brown, age 85, of Bremen, will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, 2019, at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home with Ives Harris, Ray Bridgmon, and Bobby Waddle officiating; interment in Johnson Grove Cemetery.

Cullman Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Brown passed away on Thursday, March 14, 2019, at her residence. She was born Oct. 26, 1933, to the late Euel and Nancy Savannah Allred.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Brown; sisters, Leonia Parker and Omia Selvage; brothers, Milton Allred and Onis Allred.

Survivors include her daughters, Vickie Goodwin and Holly (Daron) Woodard; grandchildren, Brandon (Jessica) Rollo, Jennifer Rollo (MIchael Grey), Sofie Woodard, and Madison Mauldin; great-grandchildren, Breanna Rollo, Nicholas Rollo, Dakota Johns, and Hannah Rollo-Myers; sisters, Ima Gean (J.B.) Chappell and Rachel (Ray) Bridgmon; brother, Bobby (Eloise) Allred; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from noon until 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, 2019, at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home.

The Hanceville High School Concert Band was one of five in Cullman County to receive all Superior ratings at its Music Performance Assessment. (contributed)

CULLMAN, Ala. - When football season is over and high school bands pack up their marching equipment, the focus shifts to concert performances. While marching bands can go to several competitions throughout the season to be judged and rated on their performances, most concert bands only have one judgment: the Alabama Music Educators Association’s Music Performance Assessment (MPA).

MPAs are held at different locations throughout the state, but the process for each one is basically the same: each band chooses three pieces with contrasting styles - typically a march, a ballad and a third style in between the other two speeds, one of which must be chosen from an approved list - and performs them in front of three judges, then goes to a different room to sight-read (play music that they've never seen or practiced before) in front of one judge. The scoring process is very similar to that of marching competitions, on a scale of 0-100 with ratings like Superior (90-100), Excellent (80-89.9), Good (70-79.9), Fair (60-69.9) and Poor (below 60). At their performances this year, five bands around Cullman County scored Superior ratings from every judge for which they performed.

The Tribune reached out to the band directors for comment.

Evan Curtis, Holly Pond High School Band

"We began preparing for this performance the first week of January and the kids have spent countless hours rehearsing since. I’m just overwhelmed with pride for our students and that their hard work paid off. Not many groups receive all Superiors and for us to earn that is a very big deal. Being a successful group comes down to dedication and strong work ethic. I think we have really great students and music educators in our school system that enable these things to take place."

Christopher Smith, Cullman High School Symphonic Band

"We started working on our music and practicing sight-reading when we came back from Christmas break, and actually we took two groups up to UNA - my group, the symphonic band, and the concert band, which was led by Mr. Doug Teuscher. The concert band received Excellent ratings all around and the symphonic band, this was actually the 26th year in a row that we've received an overall Superior rating.

“We're all really proud of the students, of both groups, for their hard work and what they were able to achieve. You know, when you can put a group of students in a room with a piece of music they've never seen before and have them play it for a judge, and do it successfully, it really makes everyone proud. The students are proud of themselves, and it makes us as directors proud to see all these skills we've been teaching them since middle school really pay off. They represented our school and community very well and we are looking forward to all that they will accomplish in the future. 

“We're not done performing yet; the jazz band will be performing at the Strawberry Festival in April, and all three bands (symphonic, concert and jazz) will have their spring concerts on May 2."

Skylar King, Vinemont High School Band

"This year our concert band performed March 5 at Norton Auditorium. The band is comprised of high school students, a few eighth graders and two seniors. This composition of students really show the maturity of this group, the leadership of our upper classmen and our potential for growth in the future.  

“This year our band program received a Superior rating from every judge, from our marching band, drum major, auxiliaries, percussion and concert band this has been a great year for our students and we’ll be ending this year with our spring concert May 2 and band banquet May 11."

Nathan Kilgo, Fairview High School Band

"I’m very proud of the group’s performance at our state performance assessment. This is a stressful event, but it is well worth it to see the students’ hard work pay off, and they definitely worked hard, putting in extra hours outside of our normal class time. 

“While we are proud of our scores, we know it’s more about the process of getting better as musicians, setting goals and striving for them, and getting feedback from other music professionals on things to continue to work on to improve."

Jesse James, Hanceville High School Band

"I'm so incredibly proud and blessed to be the director of this great group of kids. Through all of their hard work, they pushed through and performed their absolute best. It is just so incredible to watch them grow through music. It was a fantastic day!"

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West Point Intermediate School’s Sonia Eady, left, pictured with Superintendent Dr. Shane Barnette, received a CCBOE e5 Exceptional Service Award. (W.C. Mann for The Cullman Tribune)

CULLMAN, Ala. - On Thursday evening, the Cullman County Board of Education (CCBOE) opened its meeting with recognitions of high-performing students and faculty.  Due to the bad weather, most honorees were not present, but the list of those to be recognized included:

• West Point Middle School Hoop Shoot Winner, seventh grader Hallie Wheeler, who won County, District and State and will be competing in Regionals
• CCBOE e5 Exceptional Service Award honorees:
  • Kerrie McCluskey - Child Development Center
  • Sonia Eady - West Point Intermediate
  • Ted Nesmith - Vinemont High
  • Sara Phelps - Good Hope Elementary
  • Chelsie Alldredge - Holly Pond High
• CCBOE/Tony Serra Nissan/Cullman Tribune Elementary Teacher of the Month - Michelle Pender, Hanceville Elementary
• CCBOE/Tony Serra Nissan/Cullman Tribune Secondary Teacher of the Month - April Hays, Holly Pond High
• CCBOE/Tony Serra Nissan/Cullman Tribune Principal of the Month - Chris Chambers, Child Development Center

Personnel considerations

Resignations

• Wanda Hyatt Quick, Central Office Secondary Curriculum Administrative Assistant
• Cynthia Elaine Thomas, Good Hope Primary Custodian
• Tony L. Johnson, Hanceville Elementary Contract Principal
• Matthew R. Waldrep, Hanceville Elementary fifth-grade Teacher

Voluntary Transfer

• Emily Blankenship, from Central Office Assistant CNP Director to Central Office CNP Director to replace Ed Roberson

Appointments

• Cristin Adriana Smith, Good Hope Elementary Intervention Teacher
• Tony L. Johnson, Short-Term Alternative School Coordinator

Non-faculty coaches

• Rusty Brent Yancy, Fairview High Softball (Volunteer)
• Dave Alan Doss, Good Hope High Baseball (Volunteer)
• Jackson Andrew Jenkins, Good Hope Middle Football (Volunteer)
• William Cody Weaver, Good Hope Middle Football (Volunteer)
• Brocton Crashad Malcom, Hanceville High Track - Boys
• Amy Michelle Bell, Holly Pond High Softball
• David Charles Friedrich, Vinemont Middle Archery

Substitutes

• Destry Scott, Stone Bus Driver
• Madison Danielle Ballard, Teacher
• Justin Daniel Clayton Hodges, Teacher
• Dorothy Ann Conley, Teacher
• Colton McHan Costa, Teacher
• Savanna Layne Davis, Teacher
• Erin Ashley Frederick, Teacher
• Marsha Boss Hawthorne, Teacher
• Justin Lee Keaton, Teacher
• Jesse William Lee, Teacher
• Emily Lashay Long, Teacher
• Elizabeth Brooke Maddox, Teacher
• Whitney Kaye McAnnally, Teacher
• Griffin Michael Morris, Teacher
• Bonnie Renee Paulin, Teacher
• Toni Melisa Payne, Teacher
• Cassidy Maddox Peek, Teacher
• Chrystal Denay Ray, Teacher
• Kaitlyn Brook Speegle, Teacher
• Erika Suarez, Teacher
• Layla Brooke Wasilewski, Teacher
• Daphney Louise Weaver, Teacher
• Brittney Mackenzie Widner, Teacher
• Michele Marie Duke, Teacher/Office/Custodian

Contract/Salary Changes

• Braxton Pitts, add Track-boys, Hanceville High
• Broc Malcom, add Track-girls, Hanceville High
• Amy Michelle Bell, add Sr. High Softball Assistant coach, Holly Pond High
• James Brown, add Jr. Var. Girls Basketball coach, Vinemont High

The board approved the following requests:

• from Hanceville Middle School to pay Kim Kanaday for tutoring up to 228 hours this semester, paid $25 an hour from Title I funds
• from Vinemont Elementary School to add Audrey Strickland and Jennifer Quick as  substitutes to its after-school program, paid at $20 an hour from local school funds
• from Welti Elementary School, paid by Dependent Care Grant/Local School Funds,
  • Permission to host a before-school program on Monday-Friday, 6:30-7:30 a.m.-cost $10 a week; Teachers: Samantha Hunter-$22 an hour, Before School Care Director Jennifer Hays-$20 an hour
  • Permission to increase after-school program salaries: Krystal Ayers-$22 an hour, After School Care Director Charlotte Reid, Jennifer Hays, Katara Davidson, Stefanie Bagwell and Jan Sexton -$20 an hour
• to pay Wanda Quick $900 for additional work on A+, paid by A+ College Ready

The next meeting of the CCBOE will be Thursday, April 11, 2019 at 6 p.m. in the Central Office Board Room, with work session at 5:30.  The public is invited to attend.

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