The Sylacauga City Schools Foundation presented its 70th chair this week, honoring the Hodges Family. Don and Lynn Hodges were surrounded by a host of family members as the chair and plaque were unveiled in the Sylacauga High School foyer.
The Hodges have been tied to the Sylacauga community since the late 1960s, with Don Hodges having served the region as a teacher and coach before becoming a Balfour representative for decades, and Lynn Hodges as a teacher and administrator for 25-years in the Sylacauga School system.
The Hodges legacy continues today with dozens of Sylacauga High graduates, with several still serving as employees of the local school system. Those family members have been a part of every fund-raising effort put forth by the Sylacauga City Schools Foundation since it began in 1988.
The 70th Chair presentation represents more than 32 years of financial support for the state’s oldest such foundation.
The Sylacauga Planning Commission will hold a special called meeting Thursday, August 28, starting at 5:00 p.m. in the council chamber at the Municipal Complex. The subject at hand is the most important plan for recreation facilities in the City’s history.
“We are asking our Parks and Recreation family to attend this meeting Thursday. As most of you are aware we have been discussing this location since 2023 and our first meeting about the site approval was in October of that year. We are in the final design phases of the project and at this point we are at a standstill to finish the design until the site is officially approved,” explained Steve Masters, Executive Director.
Masters added, “Each month this project is delayed is another month that kids are not learning how to swim, parents have to decide which one of their kids games they are going to because we have to use multiple gyms all over town, teams don’t have enough courts to practice on, seniors don’t have access to water aerobics, water therapy and a climate controlled walking track to stay active. Finally it’s another month that kids don’t have somewhere to play after school because our one gym is fully scheduled with programs.”
A public meeting has been called by the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) to present proposed changes to Alabama Highway 235, known as Plant Road. A large crowd is expected to voice opposition to the proposed changes.
ALDOT has informed city officials that they want to take the road back to two-lane traffic with a left-turn lane. Both city officials, as well as existing industries along the highway have already said the proposed changes will interfere with both current operations and expansions that are underway.
“We want and need people to show up for the meeting,” said Childersburg Mayor Ken Wesson. “And at the end of the day, it’s a state highway, which means that they can move ahead any way. That’s why we have gotten our state representatives and senators involved, even taking the matter to the Governor’s Office. We’re experiencing growth in our industrial park, and the last thing we need right now is to stifle that growth and make it harder.”
The meeting is set for Thursday, August 28th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Church of Christ on Plant Road. In the meantime, area residents may also leave their thoughts or opinions on the proposal on the department’s website, www.dot.state.al.us. The comment period will remain open until Friday, September 19, 2025.
SYLACAUGA, Ala. – As a proud graduate of Leadership Sylacauga, you remember the power of the connections built within your class – the stories shared, the laughter, the growth. Now it’s time to expand that circle. There is a special afternoon, designed to bring together alumni from all class years for a dynamic session focused on connection, collaboration, and leadership renewal.
The gatherig will explore “The Power of You & Making a Difference” – a reflective and energizing session that will help you assess your natural talents, refocus on your purpose, and reengage with your ability to lead and make an impact in your community and career.
This session will be facilitated by Teri Smiley of Starfish Partnerships, known for creating meaningful, high-energy leadership experiences that bring teams together and spark lasting impact.
Expect a fun and welcoming space to meet fellow alumni from other class years, along with interactive team-building activities that build trust, spark laughter, strengthen collaboration, and a lot more.
Join fellow Leadership Sylacauga Alumni on Wednesday, August 27th from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. for this special Leadership Sylacauga alumni experience. Come ready and please dress in very casual clothes and tennis shoes. You will need to comfortably move around for the team building activities!
SYLACAUGA, Ala. – The Sylacauga City Schools Foundation is hosting their 70th Chair presentation next Wednesday, August 27th, at 4:00 p.m. in the Sylacauga High School foyer. This milestone Chair is honoring a very special family for not only the Sylacauga community but Sylacauga City Schools as well.
Lynn Hodges, a current SCSF board member, was a teacher and administrator in our school system for many years. Don Hodges was the Balfour representative that provided senior class rings and graduation invitations for decades of graduates, their two children (Bill and Donalyn) are graduates of Sylacauga High School as are their children, they both assisted in the family business at Balfour, and Donalyn’s husband (Chad Wilkinson) is our Athletic Director. This family depicts Sylacauga Aggies through and through.
“When I was recruited to organize this monthly event – the 3rd Thursday Block Parties in downtown Childersburg – the idea was to call attention to the growing number of businesses, a good time for the community with a purpose,” said Tom Roberts. “And this month it’s all getting bigger.”
New and existing businesses have two new neighbors, The Nevermore Bar & Grill along with Salon Paragon, both on 8th Avenue, across from another new entry, Another Level Cards. And a couple of other new Childersburg businesses are joining the big night as vendors.
“I talked with Felling Ranchy this morning, and they’ll be showing off their line-up of western fashion and consignment goods from their Highway 280 store. Hooked up with The Bargain Barn Liquidations to bring out some of their growing inventory from their amazing new store in the Piggly Wiggly Shopping Center – brand new goods at liquidation prices.”
Regular vendors will be joined by several farmers market favorites with farm fresh eggs and home-cooked breads and treats, plus lots more new arts and crafts vendors, and even a bouncy house for the kids. All the candidates for next week’s municipal election have been invited to either set up tents, or chat with visitors on their own.
“And, besides our downtown eateries – The Chicken Coop and Domino’s Pizza – we’re expecting a trio of food vendors, plus the Pelicans SnoBalls truck,” added Roberts. “Bring the family for a fun night out and experience all that downtown Childersburg, and beyond, has to offer!”
Read the accounts &/or watch the meeting video below:
The Childersburg City Council called a meeting for 12:00 noon on Tuesday, September 2nd to canvass the results of the August 26th Municipal Election. They also approved for all officials elected to attend the newly required orientation training provided by the Alabama League of Municipalities. That approval includes registration, travel, lodging, and per diem.
In New Business, the Council approved Ordinance #1150, which approves the City’s participation in the State Consumable Vapor Products Tax Revenue Distribution Program, as opposed to handling that on their own.
Resolution 2025-20 provides an important stop-gap for City retirees with 25 or more years of service. They were approved to receive health insurance benefits as provided, until they reach the required age for Medicare eligibility.
Also approved was Resolution 2025-21, which selects Utility Engineering Consultants, LLC for the Rebuild Alabama paving project for Forest Hills Road.
The Council approved payment for 17 Childersburg Police Officers membership in FOP Lodge #8 at a rate of $30 per officer for a total of $510, paid from Fund 13.
Approval was given for Tracey Crocker to be hired as a full-time permanent transportation driver at a rate of $12 per hour.
Several items were approved for the Childersburg Fire Department concerning Alex Knight. He was classified as a full-time permanent firefighter paramedic with no change in his pay rate. The Council also approved $800 for Knight to attend recruit school in Mountain Brook in September.
The Street Department was approved to purchase a 1996 Isuzu Box Truck from Ponder Plumbing in the amount og $5,000.
Payment of invoices was approved in the amount of $395, 497.67.
During the Town Hall meeting, a discussion was held about a public meeting concerning ALDOT’s proposed changes in Highway 235, known as Plant Road. That meeting will be held at the Church of Christ on Plant Road on August 28th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. A large crowd of citizens and representatives of industry are expected to join City officials in voicing opposition to changing the road from four to two traffic lanes, with a left-turn lane dividing those traffic lanes.
The next Council meeting have both been set for Tuesday, September 2nd, a called meeting at 12:00 Noon to canvass election results, and the regular meeting at 5:00 p.m. The hope is to hold those meetings in the new Police-Judicial Building on Highway 280, if an issue with the door can be secured between the Police Headquarters and the Municipal Court sections by then.
Malaya Keaton, a Freshman at BB Comer Memorial High School in Sylacauga, has been named as a delegate to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders to be held on June 24 through 26, 2026, just outside Boston, on the University of Massachusetts Lowell campus.
The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields. The purpose of this event is to honor, inspire, motivate and direct the top students in the country interested in these careers, to stay true to their dream and, after the event, to provide a path, plan and resources to help them reach their goal.
Malaya’s nomination was signed by Dr. Mario Capecchi, winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine and the Science Director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists to represent Alabama, based on her academic achievement, leadership potential, and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine.
During the three-day Congress, Malaya Keaton will join students from across the country and hear Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science recipients discuss leading medical research; be given advice from Ivy League and top medical school deans on what to expect in medical school; witness stories told by patients who are living medical miracles; be inspired by fellow teen medical science prodigies; and learn about cutting-edge advances and the future in medicine and medical technology.
