BBQ Bailout raised nearly $12,000 for the Arc of South Talladega County

The Arc of South Talladega County is proud to announce the tremendous success of its recent BBQ Bailout Fundraiser, which raised nearly $12,000 to support individuals with developmental, cognitive, and intellectual disabilities in South Talladega County. The event was held on Friday, August 1st at The Corner Spot in Sylacauga.

Thanks to the enthusiastic participation of local municipal candidates and the incredible generosity of the public, the event brought together supporters from across the community for a fun and impactful evening. The following candidates were “locked up” for the cause and rallied donations to earn their release:

Greer Wright Bisignani – $1,050

Lee Perryman – $630

Nate Brewer – $1,087.25

Tina Sanders – $1,200

Jada Thomas-Combs – $760

Diana Thornton – $760

Matt Hubbard – $1,010

Tim Vincent – $1,013

Zac Mayo – $864

John Wesson – $783

Mayor Jim Heigl – $200 donation

Guests enjoyed lively conversations with candidates, watched the bailout fun unfold, and helped raise additional funds by purchasing over 200 BBQ plates, many of which were enjoyed on-site as the excitement continued.

The barbecue plates were prepared by Jon and Chelsey Strong, with supplies generously donated by members of The Arc’s Board of Directors.

A special thank-you goes to Becky Bolton, who provided use of The Corner Spot at no charge – helping make the evening even more successful.

All proceeds from the event will go directly to The Arc’s ongoing efforts to provide vital services, advocacy, and resources for individuals with disabilities and their families throughout every stage of life.

No More Tears, Inc. continues their annual Back-to-School tradition with school supplies and a fun day in the park

Every summer, in the weeks leading up to a new school year, No More Tears, Inc. gathers families in a local park with a Back-to-School event, where everything is free for those in attendance.

In keeping with this year’s theme, “Back Packs for a Brighter Future” over one thousand free back packs were given away, filled with school supplies. There were fun games, hot dogs, popcorn, nachos and cheese, snow cone treats, and more. And DJ Weechie supplied the music for a fun and rewarding day in Central Park.

Meat Depot’s “Powerade With a Purpose” supports local high school athletic programs

It’s a fun and productive way to give back to the community for Sylacauga’s Meat Depot, and the beneficiaries are the high school athletic programs at B.B. Comer and Sylacauga High Schools. Now through July 29th, grab Powerade at 5 for $5 and help support local students, especially student athletes.

Hey, the students themselves know what this means. Student athletes have been showing up, spending a good bit of the little time they have left before school starts back.

Check out the boxes for our local schools near the door. Pick one, or pick both. Donate some Powerade. All the donations will be delivered to the schools to help the students start the school year strong!

Governor Ivey announces more than $3.7 million in “Rebuild Alabama” funding for local road projects across Alabama, including Childersburg

Governor Kay Ivey has announced more than $3.7 million in state funding is being awarded to cities and counties for 12 road projects across Alabama, highlighting her ongoing commitment to enhancing Alabama’s infrastructure. One of those dozen projects is for Childersburg.

The grants are the second round of funding made available this year under the Alabama Department of Transportation’s Annual Grant Program created by the Rebuild Alabama Act. The grant funds for Childersburg will re-route 9th Avenue SW traffic and resurface 1.581-miles on Forest Hills Drive.

Childersburg will receive $350,000 in state funds, along with $196,500 in local matching funds, for a total of $546,500 available for the project.

Ward A Councilman Brandon Robinson, who represents the area in which the project will take place, acknowledged the help of State Representative Ben Robbins, working in cooperation with the current Mayor and Council, “I really appreciate Ben Robbin’s hard work to help us get this done, and Childersburg is blessed to have Representative Robbins as our State Representative. The future is bright for the City of Childersburg.”

The Childersburg Rescue Squad announces plans for their annual October “Ride to the Rescue” fund-raising event

As a total volunteer organization, the Childersburg Rescue Squad depends on donations and two major fund raisers to cover their expenses. They have announced plans for one of those fund-raisers, “Ride to the Rescue” on Saturday October 11, 2025.

The “Ride to the Rescue” event is a significant fundraising effort for the Childersburg Rescue Squad, aiming to support their missions both locally and beyond. The event includes a bike ride/race with two circuits: a 32-mile and a 64-mile route, starting at the B.J. Meeks Sports Complex in Childersburg.

The event also features a free concert the night before the race, a car-ruck-and-bike show, as well as BBQ plates for sale. The event is a testament to the squad’s commitment to community support and their efforts to enhance the lives of those in need.

When a call for help comes, the Squad answers. So far this year, the Childersburg Rescue Squad responded to: a lost person on Cheaha Mountain; a lost person in Munford; recovered a drowning victim in Morgan County and another one in Lake Lanier, GA; assisted with the tornado in Winterboro.

More recently, they rescued two elderly gentlemen stranded on Elliot Island during a heavy thunderstorm when their boat broke down. ALEA was unable to send help, and the St. Clair E-911 didn’t have anyone, so the Childersburg Rescue Squad responded. When a hurricane ravaged east coast states, the Squad spent two days immediately after the hurricane in Irwin, TN, building a landing zone so choppers could deliver supplies to a totally isolated area.

Seeing the total devastation in Irwin, the Childersburg Rescue Squad spearheaded a Christmas toy dive. Squads from all around Alabama filled a 55-foot tractor trailer and another smaller truck, delivering “Christmas” to over 6,000 children in the Irwin area.

Besides your attendance during their big October event, they are looking for sponsors, too. There are two sponsorship packages – $150 and $250 – that include signage during the event that will draw thousands of locals, as well as visitors from across the southeast.

Make checks payable to the Childersburg Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 204, Childersburg, AL 35044. Please send along your business card with your logo and name for the signs. Because you never know when it will be your family that needs their quick response.

ALEA Aviation role in downed pilot extraction near Sylacauga Airport

On Wednesday, July 16, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Aviation Unit responded to assist with the safe extraction of a pilot following a plane crash in difficult terrain approximately one mile west of the Sylacauga Airport.

At approximately 2:17 p.m., ALEA received a call from Lifesaver, a critical care air medical transport program, requesting assistance in locating the downed aircraft. ALEA’s Aviation Unit immediately responded and quickly located the crash site. The plane came to a final rest inverted after descending through dense trees, making ground access extremely difficult.

ALEA’s Aviation Unit then deployed its UH-1H “Huey” helicopter to conduct an aerial extraction. The pilot was safely hoisted from the crash site and transported to the Sylacauga Airport, where the injured pilot was transferred to a Lifesaver helicopter and airlifted to UAB Hospital for further treatment.

ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor commended the professionalism and swift response of all involved and said, “This incident highlights the critical role ALEA Aviation plays in emergency response. The crew’s training and coordination made it possible to safely rescue the pilot in extremely difficult terrain, and we are proud of their efforts and dedication to saving lives.”

ALEA remains committed to supporting first responders and providing vital aviation resources across the state.

Childersburg’s monthly event from downtown businesses is coming up again this Thursday, July 17th

The monthly series of 3rd Thursday Block Parties continues this week in downtown Childersburg.

It’s a fun, family-friendly event to show off a growing number of downtown Childersburg businesses, along with a great line-up of fantastic vendors from throughout the region, and that line-up is growing as well!

It’s an example of how showing appreciation for what we have, helps the growth of retail business, restaurants, pop-up vendors, and food trucks. Come on out & enjoy it all with family, friends, and neighbors!

SAFE Family Services Center issues an invitation to join them for a Garden Celebration

SAFE Family Services invites you to join them for a special celebration in the Sam Wright Sylacauga Grows Community Garden on Thursday, July 17th, “Honoring growth, health, and family.

The event features Dr. Therron Hutton, Founder and Director of the Mulberry Clinic. Dr. Hutton is renown for his discussions on how food and lifestyle impacts overall health, his experiences helping patients with health problems.

It’s a family-friendly event, scheduled as a floating style event from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. There are several specific question and answer discussions:

Farm to Table Food as Education – 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Food is Medicine – 4:00 p.m.

There will be plenty of family-friendly activities throughout the event, including sharing of garden snacks. The Sylacauga Grows Garden is located at 72 Betsy Ross Lane in Sylacauga.

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.