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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.
For founder/owner Branden Haley, ARCsoutheast has been a journey of growth that finally led them to Childersburg and the ribbon-cutting of the new plant on Plant Road just past the paper mill.
That five-year journey started when Haley was still a teen inside a storage building in the backyard of the family home in Talladega, starting with his Dad and couple of like-minded friends. But it wasn’t long before the realization of the potential of custom automation services. Next was a move to a location along US Highway 280 toward Chelsea, in the tiny community of Shelby, where he doubled the staff. Then, on to Pell City, where the company grew to 15, then 20.
“That’s all tied to becoming an all-in-one resource for custom automation services,” explained Haley. “We offer services in robotics, controls, vision systems, design and integration, welding, maintenance, all the way to turnkey custom machinery.”
“It finally meant that we needed a built-to-suit our needs, property big enough to keep growing without packing up and moving,” said Haley, “And while we were constructing this is building, it was with that future growth in mind. It won’t be long before we’re adding on our building and adding on our staff which has already grown to 31.”
Their priority is quality. The goal for their industrial clients often focuses on “Cycle Time,” an all important factor in plant output, “We are experts in the field of Cycle Time Reduction. Usually, programming changes alone can shave valuable time off the production process to maximize output.”
Some naysayers say that robotic automation leads industry to cut human staff, but Haley smiled at that notion and answered, “Not at all. We have seen the exact opposite, a negative job replacement. What we do adds to growth instead. It creates new employment needs and actually incentivizes growth.”
When it came time to cut the ribbon for the new state-of-the-art facility, Haley said, “It has certainly been a lot of work, as we continued to work while we grew this new facility.” And with a big smile. he added, “Worth every bit of that journey, and we’re not done yet.”
Childersburg Mayor Ken Wesson thanked Haley for choosing Childersburg, “It was such a pleasure helping to locate this industry in a perfect site for the present and well into the future. It is so neat what y’all are doing here. It’s a wonderful opportunity for all the young people wanting to enter this field.”
And with that in mind, Haley invited those interested to just, “Stop and ask. You don’t have to be an electrical engineer to be a designer.”
After all, he wasn’t when he started this journey as a teen in his backyard shop, and made it happen with classes at Central Alabama Community College.
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.”
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.
This past Saturday morning, Sylacauga native, Dima Pacha McCuiston was inducted into the Huntingdon College Athletic Hall of Fame. She played a vital role in helping build the women’s tennis program at the Montgomery school.
She was named her team’s Most Valuable Player and Best All-Around Player. In 1999, she won her conference Women’s Singles Championship, earning the school’s first ever women’s tennis selection to the NAIA National Tournament. She topped that “All American” honor as an Academic All American, as well.
After the induction ceremony, she did not want to talk about her tennis career. She wanted to talk about the help and support of her high school coaches – Randy Carter and Nathan Brown, who attended her ceremony with his wife, Laura.
She wanted to talk about her college coach, fellow Huntingdon Hall of Famer, legendary John “Coach Johnny Mac” McWilliams. Prior to the induction, she was presented with a classic antique “Chris Evert” tennis racquet from her late coach’s son, even carrying it to the podium to receive her honor.
She wanted to talk about the support she has received from her team mates throughout her tennis career, along with the unwavering support from a family of outstanding tennis players.
“There are so many who contributed to my athletic and academic career at Huntingdon, said Dima, “It’s one of the things that makes this place so special. I feel very fortunate to have been inspired to be my best.”
And Dima reserved her biggest smiles for the non-athletic side of her time at Huntingdon, the role played by Dr. Lisa Olenik-Dorman, “She was so much more than a professor, an academic advisor, a mentor. She inspired my passion. We worked together to develop a physical activity program for those who had many challenges to overcome in life that would have otherwise limited their opportunities to find the joys of athletic activities that most of us take for granted.”
Competitive tennis was, for sure, a highlight for Dima Pacha McCuiston, that earned her a deserved place in the Huntingdon College Athletic Hall of Fame. But it was the Huntingdon Motto, “Enter to grow in wisdom; go forth to apply wisdom in service,” that became the difference-making life lesson that put a “heart” on her time at Huntingdon College.
WEOGUFKA, Ala. – As part of “Alabama’s Year of Trails,” the Alabama Trails Foundation and the Alabama Forestry Commission held a special dedication ceremony to recognize Flagg Mountain’s Observation Tower as the southernmost point of the Pinhoti Trail and to celebrate a project that has finally brought reliable water to the mountain, from the Stewartville Water Authority.
Flagg Mountain, the southern-most Appalachian peak in Alabama at 1,156-feet, and the tower at 54-feet, the Pinhoti Trail Head was officially moved to the Flagg Mountain Observation Tower in the Weogufka State Forest.
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the iconic stone tower in the 1930s, which served as a fire lookout for decades. Its recent restoration returned the tower to its original grandeur, allowing visitors to once again climb to the cab for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape that, on a clear day, allows visitors to see across seven counties.
In keeping with this restoration, the tower will now Officially serve as the iconic beginning of Alabama’s longest footpath, the Pinhoti Trail that connects with the Appalachian Trail in Georgia.
“The restoration and work done on Flagg Mountain is more than just a project; it’s a celebration of Alabama’s natural heritage,” said Paul DeMarco, President of the Alabama Trails Foundation. “By preserving this historic structure and formally linking it to the Pinhoti Trail, we are creating a world-class destination that will attract hikers and nature lovers from across the country while providing a better experience that all Alabamians can enjoy.”
Rick Oates, State Forester of the Alabama Forestry Commission, added, “This partnership demonstrates the great things that can happen when we all work together for a better Alabama. The renovated tower complements the new Pinhoti trailhead. We hope the combination of the two will encourage not only avid hikers, but also outdoor enthusiasts to embark on exciting adventures right here on the peak of beautiful Flagg Mountain. We are proud to help make this historic resource accessible to the public.”
Thousands flowed through Sylacauga’s Noble Park for the 3-day Pinhoti Fest 2025 over the past weekend, bringing together hikers, families, and enthusiasts for a celebration of Alabama’s outdoor heritage. The addition of the Rec Department’s Food Truck Friday to the festival line-up got things kicked off Friday evening with a great crowd.
“We had, by far, the largest crowd ever for Friday thanks to the partnership with the Sylacauga Recreation Department and their food truck event,” said Kimm Shock Wright, one of the event organizers, along with her husband Nathan Wright. “Besides all of our exhitors and vendors, that helped bring out a lot of locals, who got the chance to experience what the event is all about.”
The annual event highlights the 351-mile Pinhoti Trail, a scenic path that winds through Alabama and Georgia. The trail’s southern end lies near Sylacauga at historic Flagg Mountain, a popular access point &/or end-point for adventurers across the region. Festival organizers say Pinhoti Fest is more than an outdoor expo. It features live music, vendors, workshops, and food, combining with outdoor gear displays, family activities, and a lot of visitors camping in Noble Park for the weekend.
The gathering has grown into an annual tradition that underscores the cultural and recreational significance of the Pinhoti Trail. Its mix of adventure, education, and entertainment that connects people of all ages with the landscapes that make Alabama a destination for hiking and exploration.
Heavy equipment is finishing up the demolition work at an historic West 3rd Street shopping center, across from the Farmer’s Furniture building. Many regarded it as an eyesore, while others reminisced and shared memories of the good old days.
While the place had been abandoned for years and had become a dangerous nuisance, even before a recent fire broke out, the memories of time spent there in a long line of locally-owned businesses made their way around social media.
It’s gone by several names over the decades – Shephard Shopping Center, The Block. There were so many businesses that called it home over time – Dud’s Snack Bar, Hale’s Barber Shop, Theodore’s Laundromat, Ridgeway’s Kitchen, several beauty salons, and many more businesses. One of the community favorites was Hobo’s Restaurant, where the food was so good and the kitchen so small, if you didn’t get there close to noon, you missed your chance for lunch that day.
Childersburg’s Cooper Steel South is experiencing growth, and they are teaming with the Greater Coosa Valley Chamber to show off a part of that expansion with an Open House on Wednesday, October 29th.
GCV Chamber President/CEO John Mark Freeman invites the public to the event, “Come help us celebrate their brand-new office space and the grand opening of the Cooper Clinic. We are proud to support Cooper Steel South as they continue to grow and invest in our community.”
The Open House will take place on Tuesday, October 29th from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 Noon.
