Springville – A person has been arrested in connection to a bank robbery last week in Springville, when officials said a man wearing a motorcycle helmet walked into a PNC Bank in the early afternoon hours of Monday, July 13, and placed a handgun on the counter before demanding money from the cash drawer.
After he allegedly received an undetermined amount of money, the man left the scene on a motorcycle. Local authorities reached out to the public for witnesses to help identify the suspect.
According to the Springville Police Department, 50-year-old Kristopher Michael Tribble of Pinson was arrested on Saturday, July 18th and charged with Robbery 1st Degree. Authorities say that items that collected from the suspects residence are the same items seen in videos and pictures during the bank robbery itself.
Springville Police Chief Jason Mize said that flock cameras helped in the investigation, also adding thanks the public for submitting tips to authorities.
Montgomery – Rising high school seniors, Abba Crumpton of Fayetteville High School, Allaster Hay of B.B. Comer High School, and Hayden Hubbard of Sylacauga High School, were three of twenty-three high school students representing seventeen Alabama Chambers of Commerce to attend the seventh Huntingdon College Economic and Community Development Scholars Program. Abba, Allaster, and Hayden represented the Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce.
The three-day, two-night event was hosted by Huntingdon College in partnership with the Huntingdon College Presidential Scholars Program and the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama. The annual program introduces students to the importance of economic and community development across Alabama on a state and local level.
To receive first-hand experience in economic and community development, the students were divided into teams and assigned a city in Alabama to represent. The students were tasked with assuming public office identities and using their knowledge of their hometown to vie for a corporation to make their headquarters in the city. After completing assignments in the project, including creating a town highlight tour, the teams gave their final pitch to President Leigh and guests. The winning team was highlighted in a groundbreaking ceremony and ribbon cutting ceremony after the final presentations on Friday.
Huntingdon College President Anthony Leigh shared high praise for the students stating, “Each year, this program brings together some of the most promising young leaders from high schools across Alabama, and this year’s cohort is no exception. These students are motivated, thoughtful, community-minded, and eager to make a positive impact. They represent the very best of their schools and hometowns, and it is clear that their local Chambers of Commerce recognized outstanding potential in each of them. Their creativity, curiosity, leadership, and genuine commitment to service set them apart. As ambassadors for their communities and as emerging leaders for our state, these students remind us that Alabama’s future is in capable and inspiring hands.”
Childersburg – You’re all invited to join Childersburg First Methodist for a fun-filled day with the community on Saturday, July 18th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 603 4th St SW, Childersburg, AL 35044.
There will be Food trucks, vendors, a waterslide, a car show, fun games & more for a FREE event that’s open to everyone. So bring your family and friends and come enjoy a day of fun.
Sylacauga – Sylacauga Parks and Recreation reopened Beth Yates Park on Thursday with a Ribbon Cutting ceremony, following months of renovation that included handicap accessible new playground equipment, shaded landscaping, and interactive signage.
“As part of a continuing project to update and upgrade our entire park system, we are here today to open Beth Yates Park,” said department Director, Steve Masters, “This park targets families with toddler age children – a safe place for young children to run and play.”
Masters noted previous projects that replaced the former municipal swimming pool with popular pickleball courts, along with an outdoor basketball court, along with major upgrades to the city’s largest park, Noble Park, “Next on our list will be South Highland and Fairmont Parks, as well as a new recreation center with an emphasis on swimming facilities and multi-sport gyms for basketball, volleyball, and much more.”
Masters thanked the City Council for their support and dedication to recreation facility improvements, “Thanks to their leadership, we have taken great strides with a lot more coming. And while we’re here, notice to work done to resurface our tennis courts. Four courts are already back in service, and the other two should be completed within a week.”
Following the rededication festivities, Beth Yates Park hosted a Storytime With Friends event, featuring Batman.
Oak Grove – Mayor Tony White updated the Council on bids for the next street paving plans this week. The town is accepting bids on the project with an pre-bid estimated cost of $314,883.
Grants totalling $250,000 have been secured, leaving the town with an $8,425 match, as well as various other relate costs of $48,033. Sealed bids will be opened at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 3rd and presented for council approval during their Tuesday, August 11th regular meeting.
In New Business, the Council approved Jonathan Reed Packer, Hannah Joy Smith, and Kevin Curtis Vines as new members of the Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department. Chief Luke Lunsford detailed the process for training department members, regardless of their previous firefighting or EMT experience.
The Council discussed Resolution 657 which detailed proposals for an 8-yard garbage container service on a three-year contract. The Council approved the bid from Republic Services in the amount of $186.59 per month. The Council took no action on Resolution 658 concerning roll-off container rental and hauling service, opting instead for a temporary proposal from Peoples Sanitation for hauling items collected by the Street Department. The Council will study several internal options available at a later time once expense details are determined.
The Council approved the Public Works Director expenses to attend the 2026 Alabama Public Works Association summer meeting.
Another set of Town employee job descriptions were approved by the Council, this time for Town Clerk, Assistant Town Clerk, and full-time Receptionist – Clerk Assistant positions.
The Council voted to make a change in internet service provider for Town Hall internet service from Charter Communications to fiber optic broadband service from the Sylacauga Utilities Board.
The June 2026 Volunteer Fire Department report showed 43 medical calls (59%), two structure fires, two brush/woods fires, three other fires, nine motor vehicle accidents, six fire alarms, and eight other calls for service. Mutual aid was given to other departments eight times, and received from other departments on three occasions. 17 of the total service calls were inside the Oak Grove Town limits (23%), with 56 calls outside the town limits (77%).
Childersburg – The Childerburg Area Chamber has officially opened vendor registration for their upcoming Childersburg Trade Days, on Saturday, August 29th at John Cox Stadium, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
If you’re a local business, a pop-up vendor, crafter, maker, food vendor, direct sales representative, or have unique products you’d like to showcase, they’d love to have you join the event by calling the Childersburg Area Chamber at (256) 278-3507, or send an email to: mmcminn@cburgac.com
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with the community, showcase your products, and be part of a great day in Childersburg!
Read the accounts of the meeting &/or watch the meeting video, including the Town Hall meeting.
Childersburg – With a short agenda, several work session announcements took center stage during the Tuesday evening Childersburg City Council meeting – a historical grant and the garbage contract.
Mayor Ken Wesson announced that he was notified of approval of a $56,250 grant from the Alabama Historical Commission for repairs to the far side of the Kymulga Covered Bridge. It’s a no-local-match grant, but the Mayor said the City will have to cover any costs that go above that grant amount, “The biggest issue will be figuring out how to get the needed equipment on the other side of the creek to effect repairs. Having to do the work by hand could get expensive.”
Wesson also informed the Council that they’ll need to be ready to tackle a new garbage contract at the second July meeting, as the current contract with GFL expires at the end of the month.
“We’re looking at a $26.04 rate going forward for one garbage container and rubbish pickup per month,” said Wesson, “But Alexander City and Chelsea have the same services we have, and their rates stand at bids of $29 and $30 respectively. Ours will be better for the same services.”
In New Business, the Council approved the purchase of a 14-foot NFPA compliant extension ladder for the Fire Department from NAFECO in the amount of $1,319, plus freight. Also for the Fire Department, Jason Watson and Gregory Montgomery were approved as firefighter/ advanced on an as-needed part-time temporary basis at a rate of $14 per hour.
After 22-years the heating and cooling system at the Rescue Squad Building has played out, and the Council approved the installation of a 4-ton Ameristar split HVAC system from Sleeping Giant in the amount of $8,892 with a 5-year parts warranty to be paid from Fund 8 – Alabama Trust Fund.
Approval was given for Rachel Carlson to attend the 2026 Alabama Municipal Court Clerks & Magistrates Association conference in September at Perdido Beach Resort Hotel, to include a $430 conference registration fee, 3-night lodging, per diem, and mileage, paid from Fund 11 – Corrections.
The Council approved payment of invoices in the amount of $1,534,621.04.
The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 21st, at 11:00 a.m., preceded by a 10:30 a.m. work session.
