Tom Roberts – GCVTV.ONLINE

Volunteers are busy decorating for “Candy Cane Lane” activities in downtown Childersburg

Childersburg – Work has begun for volunteer elves in downtown Childersburg – painting windows, hanging Chistmas ornaments, and decorating the park and such – making way for a wave of visitors and several big holiday events with the 2026 theme of “Candy Cane Lane.” As always, the effort is led by “Mrs. Christmasburg,” Childersburg First Lady Trish Wesson.

Celebrate the season at the 2026 Childersburg Christmas Tree Lighting, presented by the City of Childersburg, on Tuesday, December 1s, at 6:00 p.m. at the Butler-Harris Rainwater House. Then, family & friends are invited for an evening of Christmas festivities along Candy Cane Lane – Enjoy a train ride to see Santa in his Workshop, a visit to Whoville with the Grinch, hot chocolate stations, a s’mores station, and carriage rides available by reservation. Food trucks will also join downtown restaurants with delicious dining options.

There’ll also be a Carousel ride across from Whoville in Kiwanis Park, a choir to entertain before the tree lighting, as well as another Heart of Childersburg award.

Experience the magic of Candy Cane Lane at the 2026 Childersburg Christmas Parade, presented by the Childersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, on Thursday, December 10, at 6:00 p.m., with an evening of festive floats, Christmas lights, and hometown holiday cheer. Local businesses, organizations, and community groups will help bring this year’s Candy Cane Lane theme to life as we celebrate the season together.

Of course, no Christmas parade would be complete without Santa! Santa’s appearance is proudly sponsored by Automation Robotic Control (ARC), helping make the evening even more magical for our community.

Missing 80-year Sylacauga man found dead on Logan Martin Lake Wednesday morning

Talladega County – A missing Sylacauga 80-year-old was found dead after he went missing from a boat launch at Logan Martin Lake on Wednesday. Talladega County Coroner Shaddix Murphy identified the man as Houston Wilson from Sylacauga.

Wilson was apparently dropped off at the boat launch by his brother just after midnight with his boat. When the brother came back to get him, Wilson was gone. The circumstances behind Wilson’s disappearance are still unclear.

Pell City’s Fire Chief Jerry Dailey said that the city’s dive team received a call about a missing person at 2:00 a.m., and multiple agencies searched for the man Wednesday morning. Wilson’s body was recovered near the Back Porch Grill on Logan Martin Lake around 10:00 a.m.

Front entrance construction should be complete next week for Oak Grove Town Hall

Oak Grove – Construction work to bring Oak Grove Town Hall into compliance with Americans With Disabilities Act standards should allow visitors to once again use the front door entrance next week.

Concrete work is expected to be completed and ready for traffic by Monday, November 16th. After that a new front door and a new handrail will be installed to complete the required work.

Mayor Tony White reported that much of the paving project is complete, along with striping. The Council members were instructed to complete registration for required municipal official training, along with the federal government edict that the municipal website and any social media accounts must be made ADA compliant by next April.

In Old Business, the Council removed consideration of interest-bearing bank accounts until after the first of the new year.

In New Business, the Council approved former Volunteer Fire Department members Micah Pardue, Steven Simmons, and Nick Potss to return to duty.

Fiscal Year 2020 and 2021 Audited Financial Statements were accepted by the Council, with a report that contain no issues.

The Mayor was authorize to enter into an agreement with Posey C & M for sewer cut-off valve installation for delinquent accounts.

The Town Clerk’s old computer was transferred to the Volunteer Fire Department for their use.

The 2027 Oak Grove holiday schedule was approved. The only change involved Christmas Day falling on a Saturday, granted the staff Friday, December 24th off instead.

The Council voted to grant a 4% cost-of-living increase for all employees.

Jim & Nicks was approved, as the only solicited vendor responding, to cater the annual Safety Meeting/ Christmas Dinner on December 8th, following the Council meeting. The agreement was accepted in an amount up to $700.

Consideration of the purchase of a used Bobcat for the Public Works Department was rejected. Council member David Harris said they should look for a better quality substitute with fewer use hours.

Oak Grove VFD Chief Cody Lunsford reported that the department has received a $1-thousand dollar grant from the Talladega County Volunteer program for an auxiliary generator. He also report that the October Trunk or Treat was a huge success with a crowd of over 2,000 in attendance. The plan is to continue the event in 2027.

Georgia man arrested in Talladega man’s Oct. 25th death

Talladega County – A Georgia man was arrested Monday night by the Talladega County Sheriff’s Department in connection to a Talladega fatal shooting. 25-year-old Talladega resident

Nyles Ahmad Ashley was shot while attending an event at Sykes Park on the evening of October 25th, who was pronounced dead at Baptist Health Citizens Hospital.

25-year-old Jamal Keishaun Solomon of Columbus, Georgia, was booked into the Talladega County Jail Monday at 7:04 p.m., charged with murder charge in the death of Ashley. Solomon is currently being held in the Talladega County Jail under a $50,000 bond.

Childersburg Firefighters judged a downtown chili cook-off

Childersburg – Childersburg Firefighters served as official judges of a downtown chili cook-off hosted by The Nevermore at the corner of 1st Street SW & 8th Avenue SW over the weekend.

While the judges were busy with their tasting duties, a crowd in support of the fourteen cooks who made up the seven team entries enjoyed college football on the big screens contestants. There were some great recipes available for patrons, as Shea Dunlap took top honors. Even the other teams agreed that hers was, by far, the best-tasting entry.

“We sponsoired the cook-off as a way to creat some community fun in appreciation for our wonderful friends, customers, and community who make The Nevermore such a special place,” explained owner Aaron Campbell. “We look forward to doing more and being more as we continuie to grow to meet the expactations of the community.”

Three Hwy 280 dogs have been captured

Sylacauga – The Greater Birmingham Humane Society and Sylacauga Animal Services have been working together to humanely capture the free-roaming dogs in the area. Three dogs have been recently captured along Highway 280 in Sylacauga.

GBHS announced on social media that since fully activating their traps at the beginning of November, three dogs have been successfully captured through the combined efforts. While this is an important step forward, several dogs remain at large, and the work is far from over.

GBHS says that humane trapping requires patience, consistency, and cooperation, as they ask the public to avoid disturbing trapping equipment, feeding stations, or approaching the dogs, as interference can significantly delay our efforts.

They are also urging the public not to abandon animals along Highway 280. Two dogs have been struck and killed by vehicles in the area in recent weeks, underscoring the serious dangers these animals face.

Childersburg Kiwanis hosts November Chamber Coffee filled with community announcements

Childersburg – The monthly morning gathering of the Childersburg Area Chamber was hosted by Childersburg Kiwanis, a community organization focused on students – Kiwanis Park, college scholarships, and grants to schools and other student-oriented projects and programs.

“We raise and spend on behalf of our youths in the area, $12,000 to $18,000,” explained Kiwanis Childersburg President, John Mark Freeman.

Councilman Tommy Ivey, speaking on behalf of the City, announced an $800,000 city sidewalk and streetscape project from the Limbaugh Community Center to 8th Avenue SW in the downtown, “The street level steps are being replaced, along with a new sidewalk up to the Rainwater House and. no, the City has not sold any property to the company that has proposed a data center in the industrial park.”

Talladega County Commissioner Malley Limbaugh, who just earned another four year term told the crowd, “I had never met my opponent before the race, but I can promise you that I never said a single negative word and him, and he never said a negative word about me. It was a clean race from both sides.”

Marty Garrett reminded the room about Wednesday’s annual Sylacauga Veterans Day Parade. There’s still time to be in the parade. On behalf of the event sponsors, Radio Alabama and Radney/Smith Funeral Home, we hope you will join us in honoring our many veterans, starting at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday.”

Sam Roberson of the Talladega County Extension office reminded of special programs this Thursday at their downtown Talladega office, “The Heir’s Property & Estate Planning information session is from 9:00 until Noon, with a Free Legal Clinic from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.”

Janice Grohs reported that the downtown Childersburg Branch of Renasant Bank greatly exceeded it’s goal, raising $1,500 for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. They are also seeking community members to “adopt” DHR foster children from the Angel Tree in their lobby for Christmas gifts.

Gaye Powell announced that a new antique store will be opening in 1st Street SW in downtown Childersburg next Wednesday, November 18th, M & G Antiques.

December promises to be busy for the Childersburg Area Chamber of Commerce. That starts on Tuesday, December 1st with annual Childersburg Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and related downtown family fun, the traditional December Chamber Coffee will be held on Tuesday, December 8th, followed by the annual Childersburg Christmas Parade the evening on Thursday, December 10th.

AIDB Foundation returns donation after questions arise

Talladega – The Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind (AIDB) Foundation is facing questions about how a near 85-year-old intellectually disabled worker at AIDB donated $30,000 to the school’s fundraising foundation before the charity returned the money.

The money donated over two years represents more than an entire year’s salary. The donorwas recognized at a luncheon in 2025 as a top employee donor to the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind Foundation. He worked until recently as an employee at the Alabama Industries for the Blind, a workforce opportunity for AIDB clients connected to the school.

Multiple entities, including DHR are questioning whether he was aware of what he was doing. He is enrolled in a finance management program, which is a system designed to help AIDB students or employees who lack the mental capacity to manage their own money.

As Sylacauga’s E.A.R.T.H. facility prepares to open in January – Friday tours are available

Sylacauga – Set to open their new facility after the first of the year, the East Alabama Rural Innovation & Training Hub is offering guided Friday tours of its soon to be completed campus, giving local residents an opportunity to see the progress up close and in person.

The EARTH Foundation is inviting business and industry leaders, educators, community partners and residents to tour the facility as construction continues at the former Avondale Mills site in Sylacauga. Tours will continue most Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. through Friday, January 8, 2027. No tours will be held during the Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s holiday weekends, or on December 18.

The weekly guided tours will be limited to 50 guests per tour. While the dates still have openings, you will be able to reserve your spot online at https://www.earthruralhub.com/upcoming-site-tours.

Once you’ve reserved your place, there are a few details you need to know. Enter through the gate on West 10th Street. Park in the lot near the JohnsonKreis Construction Office. Hard hats will be provided. Enter and exit the building through the south entrance only. All other entrances and exits are active construction areas and are not approved for visitor use. Closed-toe shoes are required. Heels, sandals, and open-toed shoes are not permitted. Hard hats must be worn at all times within the project limits. Visitors must remain with the designated tour group throughout the visit. This is an active construction site. Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes early so tours can start on time.

The County Extension hosts a free Heirs’ Property & Estate Planning Information Session and Free Legal Clinic

Talladega – It’s all about protecting your family’s land and securing your legacy when the Talladega County Extension off hosts a free Heirs’ Property & Estate Planning Information Session and Free Legal Clinic on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the Talladega County Extension Office.

Spots for this free legal clinic are highly limited and available by appointment only. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to sit down privately with a legal professional to discuss your options, get your questions answered, and learn how to safeguard your property.

Do you have questions about family property, estate planning, wills, powers of attorney, or healthcare directives? Join a valuable educational program designed to help individuals and families better understand heirs’ property issues and estate planning options.