The Sylacauga Police Department reports that they have arrested a suspect in connection with a fatal shooting that took place on the 800 block of Settlement Road in Sylacauga on June 7, 2025.
Grover Davis, a 47-year-old white male, was killed in the shooting incident. William Barron, a 53-year-old white male, has been charged with Murder, Non-Family with a Gun.
Barron was served an arrest warrant on October 28, 2025. He was subsequently transported to the Talladega County Jail, where his bond was set at $150,000.
The Sylacauga Police Department thanked the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigators for their assistance in the investigation.
Cooper Steel South showed off their new office facility Wednesday, along with the new Cooper Clinic, holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony and looking forward to a new plant expansion project set to begin in the next few weeks.
“We are a third generation company, celebrating another growth milestone today,” Said Cooper Steel South COO, Cory Cooper. “We celebrate another example of our Cooper culture in our family of workers and investment in the community that is home to our company.”
Cooper Steel executives were joined by local officials, city and business leaders during an Open House for their state-of-the-art new office facility. And that building hosts a unique commitment to their family of employees, the new Cooper Clinic.
“The Cooper Clinic has been operational for about two months now,” explained Human Resource Manager, Macie Huey, “And it’s already a hit. We are staffed through RMC – Anniston. It’s an Occupational Health Facility, open two days per week, on Mondays and Thursdays for our employees and their immediate families. It’s a free service for them, paid for by Cooper Steel South.”
Managing the facility and overseeing the upcoming expansion is a dream job for Reid Crockett, “I blessed that they chose an old lifetime steel and iron guy like me. We have a great crew, setting production records, and looking forward to growth. We just completed the demolition of our original office and are clearing acreage for a new plant expansion that will help us add employees and better serve our customers.”
That expansion project will get started in the next few weeks on a 106,000 square foot facility, with a projected completion date between October and December, 2026.
“I am so excited for and about Cooper Steel South as a growing industrial employer in Childersburg,” said Mayor Ken Wesson, “And I have to add that they have proven to be a true community partner for the City. Every time we have called on them, they have stepped up to show their commitment to invest in Childersburg and its people.”
High school students in South Talladega County interested in attending The University of Alabama are invited to an Alumni Scholarship Assistance Program session hosted by the National Alumni Association’s South Talladega County Chapter.
The session will be held on Thursday, Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m. CST at the Sylacauga Board of Education. Students are encouraged to attend this session before applying for admission, as the scholarship application is now part of the admissions process.
Join representatives from the Alumni Scholarship Program, UA Admissions, UA Early College and the local alumni chapter to learn about available scholarships and discover ways for your application to stand out.
The Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce has a trio of traditional Christmas events lined up and ready to launch, culminating in the annual Christmas Parade on Thursday, December 4th. But the holiday fun gets started this Sunday.
Kick off the holiday season at the annual Christmas Open House in downtown Sylacauga on November 2nd from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. It’s a great day to see what’s available for the season. Enjoy special sales and deals from local merchants, get a head start on your shopping list, and savor delicious offerings from downtown restaurants.
Family-friendly festivities include balloon artists, photo opportunities, and sweet treats at every participating location. Plus, there’s some winning fun on tap. For every $25 spent at participating Chamber member businesses, you’ll be entered to win $250 in Chamber Bucks!
Don’t miss this beloved event that brings the holiday spirit to our community! And, that’s far from all the holiday spirit building. There’s the big parade night, sponsored by Coosa Pines Federal Credit Union, there’ll be loads of holiday fun coming on Sunday, November 30th from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. as First Bank of Alabama presents the Sylacauga Christmas Tree Lighting.
Read the meeting accounts &/or watch the meeting video below:
With projected revenues of $5,901,950, the Childersburg Council has approved Resolution 2025-27, which is the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, scheduling spending of $5,874,150, with a surplus of $27,800.
Resolution 2025-28 allows the Childersburg Fire and Rescue Department to enter into an agreement with the American Red Cross to provide a monthly blood supply for the purpose of administering emergency blood transfusions.
The Council approved the following appointments to the Planning Commission: Bill Moody to a term effective November 1, 2025 to October 28, 2028; Gene Piatkowski reappointed through October 8, 2031; Frank Black reappointed through October 28, 2031; Mayor Ken Wesson and Councilman Tommy Ivey as Municipal Official members, effective November, 2025 – 2029.
Also approved were the following appointments to the Commercial Development Authority: Robbie Riddle as the Council Representative, effective November, 2025 – 2029; Bruce Hunt reappointed through March 15, 2029; Billy Moody to a term effective November 1, 2025 through March 15, 2029.
The following were appointed to the Water and Gas Board: Mayor Ken Wesson and Councilman Wesley Allen as Municipal Official members, effective November 2025 – 2029; Angie Twyman to a term effective November 1, 2025 through March 6, 2030.
Approval was given for the Childersburg Police Department to have Flock Group install four (4) License Plate Readers at a total cost of $36,000 for three years. $18,449.48 is derived through state grant funds, with the additional $17,550.52 paid from Fund 55. After the three-year period, there is an option to renew.
The Council approved payment of invoices in the amount of $313,482.62.
On Monday, November 3, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., there will be an Open House for the new Police/Judicial Complex on US Highway 280, to include a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The organizational meeting of the newly elected Council members will follow at 4:00 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Prior to the meeting, a public hearing was held to allow comment on a proposal from Long Lewis of Coosa Valley, LLC for a ten year tax abatement period for their new location at 36115 US Highway 280. If ultimately approved after another public hearing prior to the November 4th regular meeting, 65-percent of the sales tax revenues they generate will be returned to Long-Lewis to help cover development costs of the used car supercenter. For the remaining four years, the company will receive 50-percent of the sales tax revenues they generate.
Mayor Ken Wesson announced that those who live on or along Forest Hills Drive, or regularly travel the city road, should expect delays starting at 8:00 a.m. next Tuesday, October 28th for the duration of a repaving project.
The annual Sylacauga City Schools Foundation 5K & 10K Race is set for Saturday, October 25th, starting at 8:00 a.m. at Legion Stadium. The Sylacauga Police Department has issued a Traffic Advisory for the event.
The Sylacauga Police Department has issued a Traffic Advisory to inform residents and visitors about temporary road closures and traffic delays for the event.
Event Details: Both races will start and finish inside the Sylacauga High School Stadium. Routes will include portions of 6th Street, Norton Avenue, Main Avenue, Park Street, Coaling Road, Walnut Street, Western Avenue, Spring Street, Elm Avenue, Avondale Avenue, 3rd Street, and 4th Street. Officers and volunteers will be stationed throughout the course to ensure the safety of runners and motorists.
Traffic Impacts: Expect temporary road closures and minor delays along the race routes between 7:45 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. We ask that drivers use caution, follow posted detours, and respect officers’ directions during this time.
Event Start/Finish Location: Sylacauga High School Stadium
Cuppa Grace has been around for a decade now, and they’ve scheduled a special event to celebrate on Sunday, October 26th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Join Cuppa Grace for a fun day of memories – learn a bit about their history, catch up with past owners and baristas, and meet the new owners, Jerry Wayne and Heaven, along with their new team. They’ll have cake and a few new items launching that day, along with tons of surprises for those who help them celebrate.
With the aim of drawing attention to the growing number of businesses in Childersburg, especially downtown, the 3rd Thursday Block Party is back with more on Thursday, October 16th.
There’s a great line-up of new businesses that have joined the long-time downtown Childersburg businesses. And Padgette Goings McGrady of District One Real Estate has been busy making arrangements for adding even more unique vendors to the events – from handmade woodworking, to indoor and outdoor plants, to fragrances, crafts, gifts, books, and lots more unique vendors from across the region. Bring the whole family and enjoy what downtown Childersburg has to offer!
Childersburg’s downtown bank hosts all sorts of fund-raising activities every October, and along with their always delicious breakfast treats for the October Coffee for the Greater Coosa Valley Chamber, they highlighted their efforts to raise important funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama this week.
They have several fun every day activities – Pick a Pink Duck & vote for your favorite painted pumpkin – leading up to their famous Witches Brew Lunch, featuring homemade chili or soup, plus crackers, dessert, and drink with all the proceeds supporting breast cancer research in Alabama. That’s set for Friday, October 31st from 10:00 to 4:00, or as long as the supplies last.
Bill Moody made his final report on the state of the City, before Gerald Wallace takes over as the City liaison to the Chamber Board. Moody reported that new housing development continues to grow, with College Park entering Phase 2 with another 100 new homes planned. New and expanding industry will be celebrated this month with ribbon-cuttings at Cooper Steel South on the 29th and at ARC Robotics new plant the next day, on October 30th. The City itself will host an Open House for the new Judicial/Police Complex on Highway 280 on November 3rd from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., with a ribbon-cutting to follow.
Kicked off during last months GCV Chamber Coffee, the Childersburg High “Building Beds” program surpassed their fund-raising goal and build more beds than planned, to meet a greater need than most realize – beds for Talladega County students that don’t have a bed to call their own. Now, the focus in on collecting funds for bedding – comforters, bedspreads, sheets, etc to go along with the beds.
CACC announced that Spring Term registration will kick off later this month, urging students to get signed up early to secure class spots before they fill up.
The monthly GCV Chamber Coffee normally takes place on the second Tuesday of each month, but with the annual Veterans Day holiday falling on that same day, the November event – at the new Judicial/Police Complex – has been moved forward to Thursday, November 13th at 8:30 a.m.
With active programs focusing on aiding in the education of the next generation, the ALICE Center signaled the move to a brick and mortar foundation with a well-attended ground-breaking ceremony along 9th Avenue SW in downtown Childersburg on Monday, October 13th.
The ALICE Center concept has been one of bringing together so many aspects of the community to shape and support a bright future for the families and children that make up the local community. That cooperative effort was front and center during the ground-breaking event, highlighting why Gerald Wallace had a dream inspired by his mother, Alice to create an entity to meet community needs.
“With property secured, we focused first on getting programs started toward our mission, “explained Gerald Wallace, “and now we will work on creating a place where opportunity lives, a place for children to learn, grow, and thrive. I can promise you that we will see potential in every child, and we will invest in that potential.”
That first phase of building will be to add to the base line of work already in progress, creating a new, modern home for the Talladega, Clay, Randolph (TCR) Child Care Corporation in Childersburg, housing the Head Start program – The ALICE Head Start Learning Center. TCR, a non-profit corporation, is committed to elevating the lives of eligible children and families. With locations throughout Alabama, TCR has been providing services and programs centered on education and health for more than 45 years.
Kay Jennings, TCR Executive Director, said, “At the heart of our mission lies a steadfast commitment to nurturing the potential in every child and supporting Alabama families in their journey towards a brighter future, providing programs with a purpose. Thanks to a long time part of TCR, Jackie Hall introducing us to Gerald Wallace, we were able to do exactly what she suggested we would – share a common goal and difference-making purpose for new generations of children.”
Jodi Hopkins, Wallace’s personal assistant for more than two decades explained, “Watching this project transition from an idea to action is a testament to what is possible by coming together.”
Hopkins highlighted the groundwork already laid by ALICE Center programs – engaging programs, making an impact before buildings, like a tutoring program for Childersburg students. It’s a program conducted by local educators who literally grew up as products of, as students the schools they now serve through the ALICE Center – Jasmine Shepherd and Ashley Norwood.
“I look at it as creating opportunities where they did not already exists,” said Norwood.
Shepherd echoed her thoughts, “I am a native of Childersburg, shaped by Childersburg, sharing my blessings this new generation of students.”
There was a large placard with names of partnering business, industry, and other community entities that are already on board with the goals and missions of the ALICE Center. Together with ALICE Project Director, Ty Knight and a strong ALICE Center team, this is not a project from Gerald Wallace. It’s a project for, from, and by the community itself, whose purpose will be to help the community grow and prosper. Together.
The final announcement came as a surprise to the crowd. The ALICE Center has acquired the former Phyliss Wheatley High School and Community Center, allowing for programs to be located on both sides of US Highway 280.
