There’s a day full of activities coming to Sylacauga’s American Legion Post #45 to celebrate Flag Day 2025 on Saturday, June 14th at 8 South Hammett Avenue.
The family fun gets started early as they open the doors on the Armory at 7:00 a.m. for the monthly Legion Flea Market that lasts until 3:00 in the afternoon.
The Legion will also host a no-entry-fee car show, starting at 8:00 a.m. and lasting all day.
At 5:00 p.m. they will hold a touching flag retirement ceremony on the lodge grounds. You can drop off worn and damaged flags for retirement at the American Legion Building and/or Radney-Smith Funeral Home on Elm Street.
A great crowd gathered for cool treats on a hot day, as Pelican’s SnoBalls held a Chamber ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new location on West Fort Williams Street.
Owner Andy Cox said that he’s been looking to buy a building for his operation for quite a while, “It’s like everything came together for us at the first of the year to buy this building and renovate it to suit our needs, and one of the most popular additions is our drive-thru window service.”
Cox was a 26-year veteran at WalMart before striking out on his own with a Pelican’s franchise. He says it was a learning experience, “Naturally, this is a peak time of year for what we do, but it’s our customers that tell us whether we stay open during winter months. We were busy when we opened this location in February, so we’re hopeful that will translate into solid year round business. The drive thru certainly helped earlier in the year.”
Andy told us that his most popular flavors are divide between sweet and sour, “Blue Raspberry is our best sweet seller, and our customers love our Sour Tsunami, just as much as a tart treat.”
Childersburg’s Life Celebrations Event Center hosted the June Coffee gathering from the Greater Coosa Valley Chamber of Commerce this week, showing off the location that is available to host events from family reunions to showers and weddings in the Piggy Wiggly Shopping Center.
Vanessa Owens has served as a professional event planner for over 30-years, “Helping friends and family create memory-making moments has been my passion for decades. It’s my calling, and besides my husband, Rickey Owens, I’ve called on network of talented friends to bring occasions together.”
One of those friends is Sabrina McCain, whose Elite Catering put together a delightful menu for the Chamber Coffee. Her specialty is Southern Soul Food, “But I’ve handled all sorts of menus over the years, from small family affairs to gatherings for hundreds of guests, from simple to elegant.”
The Owens and friends will be hosting their own event – their anniversary celebration for the Life Celebrations Event Center on the evening of July 5th, with live music and other entertainment on the event center stage, along with a wide variety of food and drinks. The doors will open at 7:00 p.m. with the show starting at 8:00.
“We have a great evening of fun planned, that won’t be complete without you! Feel free to call us at (800) 657-7611 to make reservations for July 5th, or to arrange to host your own special life celebration.”
Pelican’s SnoBalls has moved to a new location, and they’re celebrating with a Chamber Ribbon-cutting ceremony this week.
You’re invited to help Pelican’s celebrate their new location at 308 West Fort Williams Street during a Ribbon-Cutting ceremony that’s scheduled for Wednesday, June 11th at 11:30 a.m.
Life Celebrations will be the host for the June Coffee from the Greater Coosa Valley Chamber.It is scheduled for Tuesday, June 10th at 8:30 a.m. on the Childersburg Campus of Central Alabama Community College.
Come out and hear all that is happening in the Coosa Valley area. Chamber Coffees are a great time to meet new people and grow your network and learn all about this month’s host business.
Life Celebrations Event Center, located in the heart of Childersburg, is a venue designed to provide a luxurious setting for your most cherished moments. With elegant decor and a dedicated team, Life Celebrations is committed to making your next event unforgettable.
The Sylacauga Board of Education held a special called meeting on Thursday, June 5, 2025 to select new officers for the coming new school year.
Dr. Rekha Chadalawada, a Board Member since 2016, was appointed as Board President. Board member Olwyn Twymon was named Board Vice President. Twymon was appointed to the Board of Education in December 2023. The Board officer positions rotate each new academic year.
Governor Kay Ivey has invited the public to participate in Alabama’s Free Fishing Day on Saturday, June 7. The event allows residents and non-residents to enjoy the outstanding fishing Alabama has to offer without purchasing a fishing license. Free Fishing Day is part of National Fishing and Boating Week, which runs June 1-8.
“From the Gulf of America to our mountain streams, our state has world-class waters that anglers from far and wide travel to enjoy,” said Governor Ivey. “Free Fishing Day is a great opportunity to enjoy the unmatched natural beauty of our state while also supporting our state’s economy. I encourage all Alabamians to take advantage of this day – so, grab your tackle box and enjoy our Alabama the Beautiful.”
The fishing license exemption on Free Fishing Day covers most public waters including both freshwater and saltwater. Alabama’s State Public Fishing Lakes still require a fishing permit on Free Fishing Day, and fishing in a private pond requires the pond owner’s permission. Some piers may also require fees and permits.
Read the accounts of the June 3, 2025 meeting of the Childersburg City Council &/or watch the meeting video below the story:
The Childersburg City Council approved three resolutions necessary for the operation of the August Municipal election. The first, Resolution 2025-08, appoints the City Clerk to handle the 2025 Municipal Election and Absentee Manager.
Resolution 1025-09 approves the various electronic devices to be used in the voting process. Resolution 2025-10 appoints a slate of Election Officials as follows:
Ward A Assistant Clerk – Terry Kaye Cleckler Ward A Assistant Clerk – Donna Jones
Ward B Assistant Clerk – Anita Mahaffey Ward B Assistant Clerk – Teresa Martin
Ward C Assistant Clerk – Nina Marbury Ward C Assistant Clerk – Mildred Whetstone
Ward D Assistant Clerk – Debbie Hamilton Ward D Assistant Clerk – Tammy Salter
Ward E Assistant Clerk – William (Slim) Milam Ward E Assistant Clerk – Kaye Hernandez
In other New Business, the Council approved Ordinance 1149, which approves the sale of 60 +/- acres at the Industrial Park to Cooper Steel for $360,000 for an expansion project. It also names Mayor Ken Wesson, as the Chairman of the Local Redevelopment Authority to execute the agreement and associated documents for the transaction.
Approval was given to hire Matthew Griffin as a full-time permanent Transportation Driver at a rate of $10 per hour.
The Council approved moving Council Meetings and Municipal Court to the new Judicial/Police Complex at 34011 US Highway 280 upon completion of the renovation project.
Approval was given for the Street Department to hire Rick Wallace as a part-time temporary CDL Driver and Equipment Operator at a rate of $12 per hour.
The Council approved a Senior Center request to purchase a replacement ice maker from KaTom Restaurant Supply in the amount of $1,697.50.
Payment of invoices was approved in the amount of $65,237.92.
Prior to the meeting, Mayor Ken Wesson reported that ALDOT wants to move ahead with a project to repave State Highway 235 (Coosa Pines Drive & Plat Road), while changing it from a 4-lane highway to two-lanes with a left-turn lane. The Mayor told ALDOT that the Council opposes the change. He also made certain that ALDOT representatives met with all of the industries along the road, with all of them expressing displeasure to the change as disruptive to efficient industrial traffic.
The Mayor asked the public to go to the ALDOT website to make public comments at dot.state.al.us/news/pi_schedule.html. However, the link labeled as “Resurfacing/Road Diet on AL-235” went to a comment section on a different project.
Mayor Wesson also reported calling on Congressman Mike Rogers for his assistance in addressing the issue of addresses in the new College Park development being listed under the Sylacauga Post Office for delivery and Post Office Service.
Also prior to the Council meeting new Childersburg Police Cadets, Kristian Glenn and Christian Blair, were sworn in before heading to the Anniston Northeast Law Enforcement Academy in August.
Mayor Wesson reported that he had met with a representative of the Long-Lewis automotive group in Birmingham about a proposal to create a new used car supercenter along Highway 280 in Childersburg. He told the Council that an undisclosed Childersburg location was one of two locations in the area under consideration.
The next regular meeting of the Childersburg City Council will be held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Eli Thornton, a student at Fayetteville High School, and Audrey Luker, a student at the Alabama Virtual Academy, have been selected to attend the prestigious RNT+ Experience Camp hosted by Reach and Teach, an educational nonprofit that equips students with real-world skills through hands-on experiences in marketing, media, event planning, hospitality, tourism, and entertainment production.
The RNT+ Experience Camp brings together a select group of high-achieving students from across the state for an immersive, multi-day experience designed to expand their professional skill sets, build leadership abilities, and offer one-of-a-kind career exploration opportunities.
During the camp, students will participate in advanced workshops, work alongside industry professionals, tour popular tourism locations in Huntsville, and collaborate on creative projects such as the Kansas, .38 Special, and Jefferson Starship concert at The Orion Amphitheater on June 14. They’ll gain insider knowledge into fields like concert production, broadcasting, public relations, hospitality, and entrepreneurship – all while building connections with mentors and peers who share a passion for innovation and the entertainment industry.
The RNT+ Experience is a partnership between Reach and Teach, The Orion Amphitheater, and the Huntsville Music Office. High school students across the state of Alabama were eligible to apply for this free, all-inclusive camp.
Talladega County Commissioners have scheduled a series of Saturday “Community Clean-ups” each weekend in June, 2025.
Those in the area surrounding the scheduled locations (Odena, Talladega, Sycamore, and Walco) will be able to dispose of items such as construction debris, brush and yard waste, cabinetry, cardboard boxes, clothing, furniture, mattresses, old shingles, scrap building materials, sheet rock, toys, and toilets.
The following items will NOT be allowed: air conditioners, antifreeze, batteries, chemicals, computer monitors, flammables, free liquids, freezers, hazardous waste, household garbage, light bulbs, paint, pesticides, petroleum-based products, propane tanks, refrigerators, televisions, and tires.
Below is a schedule of clean-up communities, including dates and times, as well as where you will be able to find large disposal containers:
Saturday, June 7, 2025 – Odena, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. S.C. Bolton Community Center, at 1108 Pine Grove Road
Saturday, June 14, 2025 – Talladega, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Talladega County Central High School, at 5104 Howell Cove Road
Saturday, June 21, 2025 – Sycamore, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. US Post Office at 479 Main Street
Saturday, June 28, 2025 – Walco & Sylacauga, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. vacant lot east of the Walco Handi Mart, Alabama Avenue