Single-vehicle crash has taken the life of an Alabaster man

A single-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 6:45 a.m. Sunday, July 13, has claimed the life of an Alabaster man. James J. Mitchell, 49, was fatally injured when the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado pick up that he was driving left the roadway, struck a cable box, and then a tree.

Mitchell was not using a seat belt at the time of crash and was ejected. He was airlifted to UAB Hospital for treatment where he later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.

The crash occurred on Alabama Highway 25 near Shelby County Road 7, approximately three miles south of Wilsonville, in Shelby County. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate.

The 2025 Back to School Sales Tax Holiday is set for the coming weekend

The 2025 Back to School Sales Tax Holiday is set for Friday through Sunday, July 18th through the 20th. Shop locally as all jurisdictions in the region are participating in Alabama’s annual back to school sales tax holiday. The following items will be exempt from all sales tax:

Clothing: All apparel suitable for general use is exempt unless it otherwise appears on the taxable list. Clothing items must cost $100 or less per article of clothing to be exempt.

Computers and Computer Software: A single purchase with a sales price of $750 or less will be exempt. Items exempt include computers, computer software, and school computer supplies.

School Supplies: Any items of $50 or less per item commonly used by a student in a course of study will be exempt. Supplies may include art supplies, reference maps and globes, textbooks on an official school book list with a sales price of more than $30 but less than $50, and books with a sales price of $30 or less per book.

These items are NOT exempt during the Sales Tax Holiday Weekend:

Clothing accessories such as handbags, jewelry, sunglasses and umbrellas.

Protective equipment such as breathing masks, hard hats, helmets and safety belts.

Sports or recreational equipment such as ballet or tap shoes, athletic gloves, goggles or shin guards.

Furniture.

Any systems, devices, software or peripherals designed or intended primarily for recreational use. Video games of a non-educational nature.

Magazines, newspapers, periodicals or any other document printed or offered for sale in a non-bound form.

Oak Grove Mayor and Town Council will skip an upcoming election without opposition for any sitting officials

A series of six Resolutions, 624 through 629, were approved declaring that the Mayor and all five town council members have been re-elected without opposition and issuing Certificates of Election for all.

In Old Business, the Council authorized a $1,600 payment to Nelson Motors for work done on the east side well. The new invoice copy boke down labor and material costs.

A “No Action” motion was approved in regard to a Nuisance Ordinance revision, after a report from Susie Wimmer indicated that she found no issues concerning a recent resident complaint concerning an animal rescue operation.

Under New Business, David “Luke” Lunsford was appointed as the new Chief of the Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department. In a related matter, three applications to join the department were tabled while Chief Lunsford studies the applications.

The Council approved a pair of requests from Chief Lunsford for his department. The purchase of five new radios was approved at a cost of $2,000 each. Also approved was up to $32,000 for as replacement brush fire truck, as well as an EMS Quick Response sport utility vehicle. The current brush truck had been used for both functions and had gotten old with expensive repairs pending.

In other business, the Council approved Resolution 630, which authorized the purchase of a vehicle lift at a cost of $9,499, plus an additional $500 freight charge.

The Council approved the purchase of a 12 x 20 foot standard carport for the sewer pump stations. In a related matter, approval was given to Resolution 631, which authorized the purchase of a sewer pump at a cost of $6,650. That allows for an installed pump and an emergency spare at both the east and west town pump stations.

Also concerning the west pump station, the Council authorized the purchase of 25 tons of gravel for the pump station and driveway. The cost is $725.50.

With the state making changes in the taxation of vape products, the Council agreed to take advantage of the state-run revenue sharing program, which required passage of a “No Action” motion.

In pre-meeting reports, Mayor Tony white said that land clearing across from Town Hall will begin soon. The City Clerk’s office will prepare information on new operational software from CSA, which is geared specifically toward government operations use. Also, for future consideration, the City Clerk’s office will prepare a Resolution for consideration that could create a Park Committee to address new family activities for Oak Grove Park facilities.

One of the park’s largest annual events, the Oak Grove Fall Family Festival, was the subject of another report. The festival has been scheduled for Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Councilman David Harris said that their first festival meeting went well and plans are progressing. He reported that inflatables have been confirmed alons with several key activity vendors, including Home Depot’s kids crafts under the pavilion.

With Sewer Board member Frank Young getting married and moving to Birmingham, it was discussed dissolving the Sewer Board. Mayor White said, “The Council has to handle approval of all sewer-related actions, so it might be time to dissolve.

The City Clerk’s office was assigned the duty of researching the ramifications of dissolving the Sewer Board. If no major issues are discovered, a proposal resolutions will be prepared for the August Town Council meeting.

Oak Grove Mayor and Town Council will skip an upcoming election without opposition for any sitting officials

A series of six Resolutions, 624 through 629, were approved declaring that the Mayor and all five town council members have been re-elected without opposition and issuing Certificates of Election for all.

In Old Business, the Council authorized a $1,600 payment to Nelson Motors for work done on the east side well. The new invoice copy boke down labor and material costs.

A “No Action” motion was approved in regard to a Nuisance Ordinance revision, after a report from Susie Wimmer indicated that she found no issues concerning a recent resident complaint concerning an animal rescue operation.

Under New Business, David “Luke” Lunsford was appointed as the new Chief of the Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department. In a related matter, three applications to join the department were tabled while Chief Lunsford studies the applications.

The Council approved a pair of requests from Chief Lunsford for his department. The purchase of five new radios was approved at a cost of $2,000 each. Also approved was up to $32,000 for as replacement brush fire truck, as well as an EMS Quick Response sport utility vehicle. The current brush truck had been used for both functions and had gotten old with expensive repairs pending.

In other business, the Council approved Resolution 630, which authorized the purchase of a vehicle lift at a cost of $9,499, plus an additional $500 freight charge.

The Council approved the purchase of a 12 x 20 foot standard carport for the sewer pump stations. In a related matter, approval was given to Resolution 631, which authorized the purchase of a sewer pump at a cost of $6,650. That allows for an installed pump and an emergency spare at both the east and west town pump stations.

Also concerning the west pump station, the Council authorized the purchase of 25 tons of gravel for the pump station and driveway. The cost is $725.50.

With the state making changes in the taxation of vape products, the Council agreed to take advantage of the state-run revenue sharing program, which required passage of a “No Action” motion.

In pre-meeting reports, Mayor Tony white said that land clearing across from Town Hall will begin soon. The City Clerk’s office will prepare information on new operational software from CSA, which is geared specifically toward government operations use. Also, for future consideration, the City Clerk’s office will prepare a Resolution for consideration that could create a Park Committee to address new family activities for Oak Grove Park facilities.

One of the park’s largest annual events, the Oak Grove Fall Family Festival, was the subject of another report. The festival has been scheduled for Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Councilman David Harris said that their first festival meeting went well and plans are progressing. He reported that inflatables have been confirmed alons with several key activity vendors, including Home Depot’s kids crafts under the pavilion.

With Sewer Board member Frank Young getting married and moving to Birmingham, it was discussed dissolving the Sewer Board. Mayor White said, “The Council has to handle approval of all sewer-related actions, so it might be time to dissolve.

The City Clerk’s office was assigned the duty of researching the ramifications of dissolving the Sewer Board. If no major issues are discovered, a proposal resolutions will be prepared for the August Town Council meeting.

This Week Only: The Sylacauga Farmers Markets will be held on Thursday, July 3rd

Sylacauga Farmers Market Manager Will Brooks allowed the vendors to make the decision of when to hold the market with the regular market day falling on the 4th of July holiday, and the market will move to Thursday, this week only.

“We have experienced this three times before and had mixed experiences. Before I took over the market the July 4th market was one of the strongest ever. Since then, we’ve had one great market and one absolutely quiet market. So, I polled the vendors, and they decided to move the market to Thursday this week,” explained Brooks, “I think it had a lot to do with the schedule for our many customers from Blue Bell, across the street from the market. So, we’re adapted for that.”

The special day market on Thursday will still be held from 7:00 a.m. until 12:00 Noon, and the market will return to Friday on July 11th.

Gerald Wallace has been certified as the new Ward C Councilman in Childersburg for the coming term of office

Read the accounts of the meeting &/or watch the meeting video below the story:

With only one candidate for the Ward C seat on the Childersburg Council, Resolution 2025-12 issued a Certificate of Election for Gerald Wallace during the Tuesday, July 1, 2025 regular meeting.

Resolution 2025-13 also gained approval, authorizing Ken Wesson in his capacity as Mayor to enter into an agreement with Advanced Integrated Security for the purpose of monitoring the fire system at the new Police-Judicial Building at 34011 US Highway 280.

Passage of Resolution 2025014 allows the City of Childersburg to proceed with the abatement process for three vacant lots on Parkdale Lane in Minor Terrace.

In other new business, the Council approved a request to transfer Terrie Sprayberry to the Police Department as a full-time permanent Records Clerk at a pay rate of $14 per hour.

Approval was given for Johnny Swain to perform curb and concrete work at the Police-Judicial Building in the amount of $7,150.

Payment of invoices in the amount of $72,018.22 was approved.

The Council adjusted the pay rate of transportation drivers to $12 per hour, effective with the next pay period.

The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Mayor Wesson said that the hope is that the Council will be able to hold that meeting in the Municipal Courtroom of the Police-Judicial Building on Highway 280.

Honoring Lieutenant Whatley on his retirement from the Sylacauga Police Department

Thursday, June 26, 2025, marked the final day of service for Lieutenant Willis Whatley as he retired from the Sylacauga Police Department after an incredible career in law enforcement.

Lt. Whatley began his journey in 1993, graduating from the 97th session of the North Alabama Law Enforcement Academy – the final 7-week session in its history. That same year, he started with the Talladega County Sheriff’s Department as a correctional officer and dispatcher before becoming a south-end deputy.

In 2002, Lt. Whatley joined the Sylacauga Police Department, serving in both night and day shift patrols. He was a sniper on the department’s Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Team and was assigned to the Talladega County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force from 2006 to 2009.

Upon returning to the Sylacauga Police Department in 2009, he worked in Investigations before being promoted to Sergeant in 2010 and Lieutenant in 2012. As Lieutenant, he led both patrol and investigative divisions, ultimately serving as Chief Investigator.

Lt. Whatley is a decorated officer, earning numerous honors including:
* 2009 Officer of the Year
* 2010 Chamber of Commerce Officer of the Year
* Several Meritorious Service Awards
* Department Service Awards
* Perfect Attendance, Safe Driving, and Firearms Expert Awards

He is also a Certified Firearms Instructor, FTO Instructor, Traffic Homicide Investigator (THI), Tier 1 Investigator, and Certified Law Enforcement Executive (CLEEP). During his career, he also earned his associate degree in Criminal Justice from Columbia Southern University.

Please join the Sylacauga Police Department in thanking Lt. Whatley for his dedication, leadership, and more than three decades of service to our community. We wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement!

2025 Childersburg Municipal Election Candidates

The Greater Coosa Valley Chamber of Commerce has made the announcement of the official candidates who qualified to run for office during the upcoming Childersburg Municipal Election.

Here are those candidates for Mayor and the five City Council Wards:

Mayor:
Ken “Yank” Wesson (Incumbent)
Damon Earl Warren

Ward A:
Brandon Robinson (Incumbent)
Anthony Lewis
Robert “Robbie” Riddle

Ward B:
William “Bill” Moody (Incumbent)
Jonathan “JB” Barclay
Paul “Wayne” Spivey
Shaquita Swain

Ward C:
Gerald Wallace

Ward D:
Wesley Allen (Incumbent)
Erin Haynes

Ward E:
Tommy Ivey (Incumbent)
Jame “James” Marbury
Christopher “Michael” McLain

The Childersburg Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, August 26.

2025 Sylacauga Municipal Election Candidates

Twenty candidates filed the necessary paperwork qualify to run for office during the upcoming Sylacauga Municipal Election in August.

The following have registered as candidates and are expected to appear on the ballot:

Mayor:
Jim Heigl (incumbent)
Matt Hubbard
Bryan Taunton
Jada Thomas-Combs

District 1:
Greer Bisignani
Colton Craft
Mike Landers
Sherrel Mickey
Tina Sanders

District 2:
Tiffany Nix (incumbent)
Christopher Kirkland
Antonio “A.J.” Stamps

District 3:
Nate Brewer (incumbent)
Zac Mayo

District 4:
Lee Perryman (incumbent)
Cedric Debardlabon
Diana Thornton
Tim Vincent

District 5:
Laura Heath (incumbent)
John Wesson

The Sylacauga Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.