Join CVMC in honoring loved ones with the annual “Christmas Tree of Love”

Coosa Valley Medical Center (CVMC) invites the community to celebrate the season with its annual Christmas Tree of Love lighting ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 6:00 p.m.

The event, organized by the Coosa Valley Auxiliary, offers individuals an opportunity to honor loved ones by purchasing a light on the Christmas tree. Proceeds from the sales benefit the Coosa Valley Medical Center Foundation.

In the meantime tribute lights are available for $2, or $3 with a card notification, while group tribute lights with card notifications are priced at $20.

To purchase a tribute light, community members can scan the QR code in the attached graphic or by visiting this link – https://givebutter.com/treeoflove24

Sylacauga City Council November 7th meeting report

The Sylacauga City Council held their first regular meeting of the month on Thursday night, November 7, preceded by a work session. Read the accounts of the meeting &/or watch the meeting video below.

The Council opened their meeting with a pair of public hearing on property rezoning requests. Hearing no opposition, property located on Coaling Road was rezoned from AG-2 (Agricultural District) District to a RT-1 (Zero Lot Line Residential District) District. Property located on Talladega Highway was rezoned from MX-2 (Limited Mixed Use) District to a B2 (General Business) District.

A public hearing for the Development Reimbursement Agreement with Cabash Investments, LLC was scheduled for Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.

Approval was granted to Wharf Casual Seafood, LLC for a thirty-day extension for opening, until January 31, 2025.

The Council approved a series of budget amendments from FY2024 to FY2025 to account for open invoices that stretched between the two budget years. They were approved as follows:

a) General Fund encumbrances, totaling $749,599.01.
b) Improvement Project Fund encumbrances, totaling $623,020.55.
c) Airport Fund encumbrances, totaling $87,996.24.

Approval was given to hire Reams Custom Homes to seal cedar roofs at the Marble City Cemetery, totaling $1,247.75. (Funding from Marble City Cemetery Fund.)

The Council approved Building & Earth to provide engineering consultation and construction materials testing services for project site located at 799 N Norton Ave., totaling $18,100. (Funding from Capital Improvement Fund.) This piece of property is proposed for a new Recreation Center, adjacent to the E.A.R.T.H. Job Development Center from Safe Family Services.

The Fire Department was approved to purchase Thermal Imaging Cameras, totaling $35,315, plus shipping charges. (Funding from Capital Improvement Fund.)

The Council gave approval for the reimbursement of an overpayment to Gail Vick, case # MC23-0000856, totaling $60.

The Acme Sandwich Shop, Inc, located at 108 North Broadway Avenue was approved for an 020 – Restaurant Retail Liquor License, pending approval from the ABC Board and all required documents.

Approval was granted for payment Fiscal Year 2024 Accounts Payable invoices totaling $134,637.76; as well as Fiscal Year 2025 Accounts Payable invoices totaling $352,432.63.

Tiffany Nix was re-elected as the City Council President for the next twelve-month period, and Nate Brewer was elected to serve as the City Council President Pro-Tempore for the next twelve-month period.

The Council approved a new job description for the vacant position of Accounting Manager in the Administration and Finance Department, effective November 7, 2024.

The next regular meeting of the Sylacauga City Council is set for Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., preceded by a work session at 5:00 p.m.

Childersburg welcomes “Fair to Middlin’ Gifts & Boutique”

Kara Eslinger opened the doors to “Fair to Middlin’ Gifts & Boutique” with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 7th, including both the Greater Coosa Valley & Sylacauga Chambers of Commerce.

Childersburg Mayor Ken Wesson welcomed the new downtown business, “The transformation has been nothing short of amazing. This is a shop that Kara and her family can be proud of creating, something special for the future of downtown Childersburg. It’s great to see such a crowd welcome her and her new shop.”

Eslinger got more than a bit teary-eyed as she explained the name she chose, Fair to Middlin’, “The name is a tribute to my GrandPa, using one of his favorite sayings. I was blessed to have such a supportive family. Everybody chipped in, allowing me to research what I wanted to include, while getting the building ready, and deciding how to display everything. I know he’d be so proud of everything about Fair to Middlin’.”

Here are some scenes for the dig day:

Check out “Fair to Middlin’ Gifts & Boutique in person at 705 1st Street Southwest in downtown Childersburg.

Childersburg City Council meeting report 11/5/2024

Read the accounts of the meeting &/or watch the meeting video below.

A major flooding issue that has plagued Childersburg’s Pleasant Valley area is a step closer to resolution as a project that has created better darinage is nearing completion.

Approval of Resolution 2024-22 authorizes Mayor Ken Wesson to execute a change order for the Storm Drain Northwest Project #CS010832-03 that approves Civil Contractors to complete the project using available SRF funding. Residents have reported great improvement already, draining flood waters in a matter of hours instead of days.

Resolution 2024-23 approves Lincoln Excavating and Construction a one-year road and sidewalk repair contract. It includes more than a dozen projects for the Water Board, as well as ten for the City itself.

A pair of Resolutions, 2024-24 & 2024-25, gained formal approval on behalf of the Childersburg Water Board. The first amends a 2023 Community Block Grants and Appalachian Regional Commission funds to include an increase of local matching funds by ten-percent and authorize the Mayor to submit and sign required documents.

The second accepts funds through the same grant programs to provide sewer system improvements and awarding the construction contract to Baird Contracting.

The Council approved a JAG Grant expense for the purchase of two (2) Axon Fleer Dash Cameras with License Plate Readers. The total amount is $30,548.40, with $20,939.64 from the JAG Grant balance, and a city match of $9,608.70 from Fund 10.

The first regular Council meeting in December has been moved from Tuesday, December 3rd to Monday December 2nd at 6:00 p.m. to avoid a conflict with the planned City Christmas Tree Lighting and related events on the regular meeting night.

Approval was given to advertise with the Childersburg High Tip-Off Club in the amount of $300 from Fund 12-LRA.

The Council approved an 011-Lounge Retail Liquor Class II (Package) License for TCB Package Store owner Walter Blackmon. It is located at 6 9th Avenue SW.

Approval was given to pay invoices in the amount of $211,248.85.

And in an item added to the amended agenda, the Council approved a $2,450 payment to Misty Thacker for gymnastics class service provided through the Childersburg Parks & Recreation Department. All of the funds were generated through participation fees collected by the Recreation Department. There is a formal agreement for the classes under development.

The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19th, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.