Author: Tom Roberts

You’re invited: Ground-breaking for the new ALICE Center and Head Start facilities in Childersburg

Post author By Tom Roberts
Post date September 12, 2025

Gerald Wallace’s dream of a unique new type of community center is taking a step forward on October. The ALICE Center and TCR Childcare are partnering to create a new community hub at the corner of 9th Avenue and Southern Street in downtown Childersburg.

There will be a ground-breaking ceremony and celebration for the new facility that will feature:

Head Start for children ages 6-weeks to 5-years-old
Tech Center for youth programs, workforce training, and family support

The ground-breaking event will take place on Monday, October 13, 2025, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. The event will include food and drink, remarks from Gerald Wallace and TCR Childcare, and the ground-breaking ceremony. Please RSVP to the event by following the attached QR Code below.

Community Feature Community News GCV News

Help build beds for students in need – Making a difference together

Post author By Tom Roberts
Post date September 11, 2025

Last school year, a student project led to dozens of students got something they didn’t have, their own bed. This year, they’re taking up where they left off, but they could use your help.

Building Construction students from Childersburg, Comer, Fayetteville, Winterboro, and Agriscience students from Munford High and Middle want to once again build beds for children in our community who do not have one of their own.

Last year, thanks to a grant, students across the county built over 60 beds for their fellow classmates. One of the most powerful moments came when a student who had been helping with the project quietly shared with his teacher that he had been sleeping on the floor at night. Without anyone knowing, a bed was built for him. That’s the kind of life-changing impact this project makes.

Unfortunately, right now there’s no grant funding to cover the cost of lumber. It takes about $2,500 in materials to build 15 beds. Students will volunteer their time and skills in class to construct the beds, gaining both hands-on training and a deeper sense of empathy for their peers. Sleep In Heavenly Peace volunteers partner with our career technical programs to begin the bed build at the schools and to finish the build, pick up the beds, and thank the students. SLP delivers the beds to volunteers from the United Way of Talladega who deliver the beds and bedding weekly to children on the waiting list across our county. There were 700 names on this list at one point.

How you can help:

Please consider making a donation to support this effort.
Donate directly to Childersburg High School or Munford High School by scanning the QR code on the included flyer.
When donating through Venmo, include in the note: “Munford Bed Build” or “Childersburg Bed Build” to ensure your support goes to the correct school’s effort.
Every dollar brings us closer to ensuring no child in Talladega County has to sleep on the floor. Please also share the included flyer with your students and families. Some may discover resources they didn’t know were available, and together we can reach even more children in need.

Thank you for supporting this incredible mission. With your help, we can make sure “No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town.”

Community News GCV News

CACC Announces Summer 2025 President’s and Dean’s Lists

Post author By Tom Roberts
Post date September 11, 2025

Central Alabama Community College (CACC) has announced the students named to the President’s and Dean’s Lists for the Summer 2025 semester, recognizing academic excellence and dedication across its campuses.

To qualify for the President’s List, students must maintain a perfect 4.0 grade point average while completing at least 12 semester hours of coursework. This summer, 16 students earned this top academic honor.

The Dean’s List recognizes students who achieved a GPA of 3.5 or higher under the same course load requirements. For Summer 2025, 22 students reached this distinction.

“These lists reflect the hard work, focus, and commitment our students bring to their education,” said CACC President Jeff Lynn. “We are proud of these individuals for setting a high standard and representing the strength of our college community.”

President’s List:

Stephanie Battle-Gaddis, Alpine AL
Thomas Brandt Bishop, Auburn AL
Gracey Bradley, Prattville AL
John David Brown, Ashland AL
Kye Elizabeth Burel,Talladega AL
Lucas Isaac Craig, Prattville AL
Serenity Mae Goolsby, Sylacauga AL
Jacey Hay, Sylacauga AL
Sterling Brooke Heath, Goodwater AL
Tabitha Marlowe, Eclectic AL
Madison McDonald, Millbrook AL
Scout Montgomery, Prattville AL
Emily Rebecca Nabors, Talladega AL
Katherine Susanne Trammel, Prattville AL
Nora Elizabeth Whitworth, Talladega AL
Brycen Staton Wilson, Sylacauga AL

Dean’s List:

Laura Elizabeth Battle Alexander City, AL
Joseph Baughman, Wetumpka AL
William Donald Bolton, Wetumpka AL
Rodney Brantley, Prattville AL
Robert Hunter Cleveland, Sylacauga AL
Hayden Corey Cole, Auburn AL
Matthew Cost, Pelham AL
Angel Renee Heath, Sylacauga AL
Darren Chance Henderson, Prattville AL
Kadynce Marianne Jacks, Dadeville AL
Celeste Gallops Lewis, Alexander City AL
Hunter Ivan McClendon, Alexander City AL
Edwyn Mendez-Perez, Alexander City AL
April Michelle Peppers, Sylacauga AL
Caitlyn Era Cheyenne, Pike Alexander City AL
James Adam Roberson, Montgomery AL
Trice B Sanders, Lanett AL
Meori Xalae Smith, Goodwater AL
Tran Tran Smith, Alexander City AL
Charles William Douglas Tillman, Goodwater AL
Brianna Townsend, Sylacauga AL
Pearson Reed Yarbrough, Arab AL

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Alabama native famous for award-winning acting roles on screen and stage is dead at 88

Post author By Tom Roberts
Post date September 11, 2025

Alabama native Polly Holliday, the actress known for portraying the sassy TV character Flo Castleberry and popularized the catchphrase “kiss my grits,” has died at age 88. Born July 2, 1937, in Jasper, Alabama, she died Tuesday, September 10, 2025 at her Manhattan home. Over the years, she was a frequent visitor to her adopted hometown of Childersburg.

Holliday won two Golden Globes and received four Emmy nominations for her portrayal of the beehive-wearing waitress, including her own spin-off series, “Flo.” But her acting history was quite storied along the way and beyond. She moved to New York in 1972 and landed a few roles in commercials for cereal and laundry soap and a small part in the soap opera “Search for Tomorrow.”

A few years later, her big break came when she acted in the off-Broadway production of “All Over Town,” directed by Dustin Hoffman. Hoffman was so taken with the acting skills, he helped her win a role in his next film, “All the President’s Men” as a secretary in the Florida State Attorney’s office where Hoffman’s character finds a link between the Watergate burglars and President Richard Nixon.

That role led Allan Shayne, the casting director for the Hoffman film, to recommended her for the breakout role of her career as Florence Jean Castleberry.

Along with numerous roles on television and the big screen, she kept finding her way back to Broadway, her first love, even earning a Tony nomination for her 1990 her role as Big Mama in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” as her many years on the stage paid off.

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Preview this year’s Pinhoti Fest during the September Chamber Connections gathering

Post author By Tom Roberts
Post date September 10, 2025

The 2025 Pinhoti Fest is coming the weekend of September 26th through the 28th to Sylacauga’s Noble Park, and you can preview the big event during the September Chamber Connections gathering this week at the Pinhoti Center hostel.

Join the Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce next Thursday, September 11th for Chamber Connections hosted by Pinhoti Outdoor Center. The fun starts at 8:30 am at the hostel, located at 49951 US Highway 280. Bring your business cards, a friendly smile, and an appetite, because breakfast and connections are served.

Community News GCV News Sylacauga City Council

Sylacauga Runoff Election is set for September 23rd – Absentee ballots now available at City Hall

Post author By Tom Roberts
Post date September 9, 2025

Sylacauga’s municipal election continues with a run-off election in the mayoral race, along with two city council run-offs on Tuesday, September 23rd.

Dr. Matt Hubbard and Bryan Taunton face off in the race to select a new mayor for the city. Council races come down to Tiffany Nix and A.J. Stamps for District 2, with another for District 4 between Lee Perryman and Tim Vincent.

With voter turnout low for the general election last month, making your voice matter can be the deciding factor, and there’s no reason to miss out with absentee ballot supplies available at the City Clerk’s Office inside City Hall at 301 North Broadway Avenue.

Ask for Heather Long to get started with your absentee voting process. Be aware that there are important deadlines involved:

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 is the last day to receive an absentee application by mail.
SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 is the last day to apply for a regular absentee application IN PERSON.

You also need to be aware that a Photo ID is required for both in-person and absentee voting, even by mail. Only the voter themselves can hand-deliver an application or ballot. Ballots and Absentee applications can also be mailed, as long as they arrive by the deadline. Call (256) 391-4236 or stop by the City Clerk’s Office if you have any questions.

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Advanced training brings a new officer to the Childersburg Police Department

Post author By Tom Roberts
Post date September 9, 2025

Childersburg Police Lt. Hughes has completed 240 hours of Drugs and Narcotics Detection and K9 Handler training. And that adds another officer to the force – K9 Maddux.

That means national certification through the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association (NNDDA), via Central Alabama Police K9. K9 Maddux is now on the road and working with Lt. Hughes.

Other departmental training includes Criminal Justice Information Services, Managing the Media, Gas Pipline Awareness, and the Mid-Level Supervisor Course.

In the meantime, Childersburg Police Cadets Blair and Glenn are well into their Basic Training at the Northeast Alabama Law Enforcement Academy and have performed well on all academic and physical fitness tests thus far.

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Talladega County “Night of Bands” is coming to Legion Stadium on Tuesday Night 9/9

Post author By Tom Roberts
Post date September 8, 2025

The Talladega County “Night of Bands 2025” is coming to Sylacauga High School’s Legion Stadium on Tuesday, September 9th, starting at 5:00 p.m. Admission is $5.00 per person.

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of music, spirit, and show-stopping performances! Join us as marching bands from across our area come together under the lights for one spectacular night. Come cheer on your school and experience the magic of Talladega County “Night of Bands.”

The line-up includes: BB Comer, Central of Clay County, Childersburg, Fayetteville, Lincoln, Munford, Sylacauga, and Winterboro High Schools.

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Childersburg’s First Bank of Alabama branch hosts the September GCV Chamber Coffee this week

Post author By Tom Roberts
Post date September 8, 2025

Alabama’s longest continually-operating bank meets America’s longest continually-occupied city, and the result is a great networking and community-involvement opportunity.

The September Coffee gathering of the Greater Coosa Valley Chamber of Commerce will be held on Tuesday, September 9th, starting at 8:30 a.m., hosted by the new branch location of First Bank of Alabama at 32363 US Highway 280 in Childersburg.

Community News GCV News

ALEA releases the 2025 Labor Day Holiday Traffic and Boating Enforcement Results

Post author By Tom Roberts
Post date September 7, 2025

Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol and Marine Patrol Divisions dedicated the 2025 Labor Day weekend to enforcement and safety operations designed to keep Alabama’s roadways and waterways safe for citizens and visitors alike.

Between 12:01 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29, and midnight Monday, Sept. 1, ALEA Troopers worked tirelessly to prevent crashes and deadly incidents. While no traffic fatalities were reported on two of the four days, six individuals tragically lost their lives during the other two days of the extended holiday period.

Fatal crashes occurred in Choctaw, Colbert, Lauderdale, Talladega, and Tuscaloosa counties and involved a motorcycle, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), and an electric bicycle. None of the three riders were wearing helmets at the time of the crashes, and among the three other vehicle occupants, only one individual was properly restrained with a seat belt.

Highway Patrol Enforcement:

Throughout the holiday period, ALEA Troopers investigated 371 crashes, which resulted in 147 injuries, including the six fatalities. Troopers also made 33 arrests for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and issued:

473 citations for seat belt violations
2,324 citations for speeding
4,696 total citations for various traffic violations
1,638 total warnings for various traffic violations

Marine Patrol Enforcement:

During the same period, ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division investigated three boating incidents, which resulted in four injuries. These incidents occurred on Lake Martin, Neely Henry Lake, and in Orange Beach on the Intracoastal Waterway. While there were no boating fatalities or drownings, ALEA Troopers remained active in enforcement efforts, which included:

538 Marine Safety Warnings issued
67 Marine Safety Citations issued
310 vessel inspections conducted
1 Boating Under the Influence (BUI) arrest

The single-vessel crash which occurred on Sunday, Aug. 31, on Lake Martin left a 12-year-old juvenile injured. Following an investigation, ALEA Troopers determined the operator did not possess the required boating license. As a result, the registered owner of the 2024 Sea-Doo the child was operating, was issued an Alabama Uniform Boating Traffic Citation for Giving Permission to Operate a Vessel Without a License.