Category: Community News

New EBT benefits – Alabama SUN Bucks – are coming in June

The Alabama Department of Human Resources has announced a new Summer EBT benefit program. It is part of a new federal program, known here as Alabama SUN Bucks, will provide a one-time issuance of $120 per school-aged child for groceries to low income families.

“The summer break can be challenging for families when children are at home and spending increases because children and youth are not in school and receiving benefits,” said Alabama DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner. “This additional money will help families across the state make it through summer break while also encouraging healthy and nutritious eating.”

Students receiving funds through ALSDE programs like SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid will be automatically eligible for Alabama SUN Bucks. Students receiving free meals through the Community Eligibility Provision will NOT automatically qualify, but they can still apply for Alabama SUN Bucks.

An Alabama SUN Bucks card will be issued to students who qualify for the program, and in Alabama, they are scheduled to be sent out in June..

If you have any Summer EBT questions, you can call 1-800-443-3536 or email support@alabama-sunbucks.com.

“Water Park @ Central” is coming to Sylacauga on Tuesday, June 10th

Get ready to beat the heat with a day of summer fun! The Sylacauga Parks and Recreation Department is excited to announce “Water Park @ Central,” taking place on Tuesday, June 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Central Park, conveniently located across from Blue Bell Creameries.

It’s a FREE community event, proudly sponsored by Heritage South Credit Union, and it promises something for everyone. Kids of all ages can enjoy:

  • A thrilling 18-foot water slide
  • A small water slide and bouncy combo perfect for little ones
  • A giant sprinkler provided by the Sylacauga Fire Department

To make the day even cooler, Pelican’s Snoballs will be on-site with their food truck offering delicious, icy treats available for purchase.
Don’t forget your swimsuits, towels, and sunscreen, and come out for a splash-filled morning of fun!

Event Details:
What: Water Park @ Central
When: Tuesday, June 10 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Where: Central Park, Sylacauga (across from Blue Bell Creameries)
Cost: Free Admission
Sponsor: Heritage South Credit Union

The Sylacauga Little League Baseball lease agreement has expired, leaving the future use of Wingard Park uncertain

The lease agreement between Sylacauga Little League Baseball and the City of Sylacauga has expired, and the league has not fielded competition the past two seasons. Now, the Sylacauga Parks & Recreation Department is reaching out to all current and former Sylacauga Little League Baseball Board Members of regarding the ball fields at Wingard Park.

The city-owned Wingard Park fields have a rich tradition of serving our community and have impacted countless lives through the years, under local, parent-run organization. In a prepared announcement, the Sylacauga Parks and Recreation Board said, “Our primary goal is to ensure that this legacy continues and that Wingard Park remains filled with the sounds of youth sports for generations to come.”

To that end, the department is hosting an important community meeting on Thursday, May 29th at 5:30 p.m. in Room 1 of the J. Craig Smith Community Center. The meeting is an opportunity to reach an agreement on the future use of the fields.

The Parks and Recreation Board added, “We have made multiple efforts to contact the previous board members to finalize a renewed lease agreement but have not received a response. We want to give every opportunity to the previous lease holders to continue their use of the fields before we consider extending a new lease offer to Sylacauga Youth Softball, formerly known as Sylacauga Little League Softball.”

The scheduled meeting is for official board members of Sylacauga Little League Baseball and Sylacauga Youth Softball only. It is NOT an open forum for public opinion.

GCV Chamber welcomes “Another Level Cards” to downtown Childersburg with a Ribbon-Cutting

The Greater Coosa Valley Chamber, along with friends, family, and community members officially welcomed “Another Level Cards” to downtown Childersburg last week. It is owned and operated by Maddie Pagan and Conner Ogle.

The shop is located at #4 8th Avenue SW in downtown Childersburg, with a great selection of collectibles, including all sorts of sports cards – MLB, NFL, and NBA. They have a lot of autographed memorabilia, plus bobble-heads, and jerseys.

“I’ve been a collector since I was 10-years-old,” explained Ogle of his interest in collectibles, “ and having my own retail outlet for collectibles has been a longtime dream of mine.”

Pagan and Ogle are assisted by Austin Allen, the resident expert on everything Pokemon and more, “I’m working on adding One-Piece and Magic of the Gathering collectibles, too.”

Although kids love the new store, there is a decidedly adult following that understands both the fun and the value in collectibles, something that appreciates over the years.

SCP presents a new twist on an old tradition this weekend

Several decades ago, not wanting to leave out any child wishing to participate in a Sylacauga Community Playhouse childrens’ theater production, a tradition began where a custom script and a series of songs were created as “Alice in Wonderland” appeared for a “trial” before the King and Queen of Hearts, with all sorts of other characters testified in word and song.

That production was recreated over a dozen times over the years, and the concept returns this weekend with a new twist. This Saturday, April 5th at 2:00 p.m., the Sylacauga Community will present “Character Sing-Along” at the Sylacauga Parks and Recreation Department.

Dressed as their favorite characters, actors and actresses will perform songs associated with those characters. Here’s hoping that the experience will lead the young and old to give the stage a try and keep a 45-year-plus S.C.P. tradition alive!

The Kiwanis Club of Childersburg’s 4th Annual Ben Nelson Run/Walk for kids is set for this coming Saturday

Four year’s ago Ben Nelson organized a 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk as a fund raising effort in support of the many Kiwanis Club of Childersburg projects on behalf of kids in the community. Now, the annual event is named in memory of the ong time Kiwanis member.

This year’s 4th Annual Run/Walk is scheduled for this coming Saturday, April 5th, starting at 6:45 a.m. for registration at Kiwanis Park, 4th Street at 4th Street SW in downtown Childersburg. The 5K Run starts at 7:45 a.m. with the Fun Run/Walk to follow at 8:00 a.m.

The Kiwanis Club of Childersburg asks for your help and participation in raising money for scholarships, Kiwanis Park maintenance, and other needs for the children in our community.

Sylacauga’s “Magic of Marble” Festival kicked off Tuesday, April 1st with some new events added to the line-up, including popular prequels

Sylacauga’s annual “Magic of Marble” Festival has officially started, running from April 1st through the 12th, and some of the fun started earlier. The Comer Museum is hosting the scavenger hunt for the Marble Festival this year. You can pick up the Forms are available at both the museum, as well as the BB Comer Memorial Library. It’s always fun to fun to watch everyone run around town and see if they could spot the featured marble throughout the beautiful city. Cash prizes are available!

Over this past weekend, the “Lunch & Learn” series at the Wallace Center for Arts and Reconciliation in Harpersville was held as a new addition to the festival line-up, hosting a special presentation featuring famed marble author Ruth Cook and Craigger Browne, a renowned Sylacauga sculptor.

Also new to the line-up this year is the return of guided tours of the historic Sylacauga Cemetery. That will feature some unique twists this year. You’ll be able to meet historical figures, as costumed actors will portray the stories of Sylacauga’s past residents, bringing their lives to vivid reality. You can uncover local legends, hearing captivating tales of the people who shaped our community.
You can marvel at the marble monuments, as you admire the exquisite craftsmanship of the stunning marble headstones, a true testament to Sylacauga’s marble heritage.

All in all, it’s a perfect Marble Festival activity, an engaging and educational experience for everyone! There are two presentations scheduled: Saturday, April 5th from1:00 to 3:00 p.m., and Sunday,

A pair of SHS alumni have been inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society

A pair of Sylacauga High School alumni were recently inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society chapter of the University of Alabama Heersink School of Medicine (UABHSOM).

Levi Parker, Sylacauga High School Class of 2017, and Vyshi Rallapalle, Class of 2018, are both current third-year medical students at UAB Heersink School of Medicine. Both were bestowed the prestigious honor on Thursday, March 20 at Regions Field.

Parker and Rallapalle, along with six other medical students within their class, were inducted based on academic merit as the top eight from their first two years of medical school among a class of nearly 200.

AOA was founded in 1902 as an organization dedicated to honoring academic achievement, professionalism and exceptional teaching in the field of medicine. This honor will follow Parker and Rallapalle throughout their careers in medicine. Both are set to graduate medical school next spring in May 2026. At this time, Parker plans to pursue a career in Rheumatology by way of Internal Medicine and Rallapalle plans to pursue a career in Dermatology.

The celebration of Coach Pete Rich’s 90th birthday will have a wait a while

Coach Pete Rich grew up in Pell City and was a standout athlete, playing football for the all time winningest coach in Pell City High School history, Will Glover. That pair were to be honored during a very special exhibit in late March at the Pell City Museum. Coach Rich had to undergo emergency gall bladdr surgery, with another procedure the following day.

The exhibit will still be open at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 29th at the museum, located in the Pell City Municipal Complex, Suite 200 on the 2nd Floor. Rich’s birthday celebration will be rescheduled when he is up to attending the event, but Coach Glover will still be honored with an exhibit.

Rich’s daughter, Lori Rich Billingsley said, “The love that so many of you have showned for our Dad has been overwhelming. Your prayers at this time are greatly appreciated.”

There are a lot of Sylacauga people who fondly remember the Pell City legend for the time Rich and his family spent living in the Marble City as an assistant for Coach Tom Calvin at Sylacauga High School.

One of his former players at Sylacauga High, Wayne Stephens said of Rich, “He is loved and respected by athletes and students at two different schools across many years of coaching. He also has the respect and friendship of many other coaches over the years at Pell City and opponents.”

After high school, Rich went on to the University of Southern Mississippi before first coaching at Jones Valley High School. From there, he served in Sylacauga. In 1968, he retired from coaching, but only for one year before Pell City called him home. He served two different stints as the head coach at PCHS and many years as an assistant coach for several head coaches at his alma mater.

The Pell City stadium was named in his honor the 1990s. He is loved and respected by athletes and students at two different schools across many years of coaching.

His dedication to coaching is well known, as he found it quite difficult to step away from the game for good, but one of the things that sealed his legendary legacy as a coach were the values of character, discipline, teamwork, and leadership he shared with his teams!

Former Talladega Mayor Larry Barton has passed away

Former Talladega Mayor Larry Hugh Barton passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, with the love of his life, Mary, by his side just as she has been since they married in December, 1956. He was 85-years-old.

The colorful and often controversial Barton served four terms as the mayor of his hometown. According to his obituary, his tenure as mayor included the city purchase of the Ritz Theater, development of a municipal golf course, the acquisition of two city parks, and the recruitment and expansion of over 100 businesses in the city.

Barton’s professional career began as a banker at Talladega National Bank, and he also served as a barber, and a self-taught musician with a Gospel group, The Pioneers, who produced over a dozen albums during his time with the group, as well as several stints as a media host with shows on television and radio.