Category: GCV News

Under “Taylor’s law” school discipline issues determine when teens can obtain a drivers license

Montgomery – Thanks to “Taylor’s Law” in Alabama, there is a new disciplinary point system that determines the age of student eligibility for a drivers license. And with a new schhool year about to start, students over the age of 12 need to be aware that disciplinary issues at school will delay their ability to drive.

Starting with the new school year, each student over the age of 12 years enrolled in secondary school – public or private – is subject to a disciplinary point system for an infraction committed on school property, and that point system will determine the age at which they will be allowed to apply for a learner’s permit, motor cycle license, or driver’s license.

The point system will track things like each day of in-school or out-of-school suspension, alternative school placement, and expulsion. The points accumulate every year, starting with the first day of the school year, including summer school in which the student turns 13-year-old.

There is a built in incentive to turn behavior around, though. Accumulated points will be reduced by one-half if the student does not receiveany more points for a full school year. If they do the same for two years, all records of the accumulated points will be removed from the student’s records.

The Childersburg community events calendar gets busy, from August into the fall

Childersburg – Community events are hitting a new gear in Childersburg as new items have been added to the calendar, including traditional events, the return of another big tradition, as well as a pair of vendor attractions.

Things got started on Saturday, August 1st at the ballpark at Sadie Lee for the annual K-through 12 Back-to-School Back Pack giveaway, with all sorts of great food, bounce houses and games, informative exhibitors, and of course back packs filled with school supplies, with a goal of 600 this year.

Radio Alabama on Norton Avenue in Sylacauga will host the August Childersburg Area Chamber Coffee at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 11th, providing great networking opportunities and get updates on community news and member happenings.

With high school football kicking off the season once again with the Tiger versus Tiger – Childersburg versus B.B. Comer match-up kicking off the season with their Thursday night season-opener on August 20th in Childersburg, another related longtime tradition is back as well – “Tiger Town Takeover – a Community Pep Rally” on Wednesday, August 19th from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Childersburg High School Baseball Field. And there’s a full line-up of activities, including the Comer Game Bonfire.

Everyone is invited to the free with fun games like a pickleball tournament, a kickball game, whiffle ball, live music, food trucks, and of course the return of the Comer game bon fire tradition with an 8:00 p.m. lighting.

Coming on Saturday, August 29th from 10:00 a,m, to 3:00 p.m., pop-up vendors – local businesses, crafters, makers, food vendors, direct sales representatives and more will gather at John Cox Stadium for what is hoped will be another new tradition, Childersburg Trade Days! If you’d like to be one of the participating vendor/exhibitors, get in touch with the Childersburg Area Chamber as soon as you can to secure your spot.

Go ahead and mark Saturday, October 17 on your calendar for a new festival event – Childersburg Oktoberfest 2026 downtown from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. Get ready for a day packed with family fun, and follow the Childersburg Area Chamber on social media for a string of exciting announcements that will be coming soon.

Catching up on community announcements from recent Childersburg gatherings

Childersburg – Community gatherings in Childersburg, like Council meetings and Childersburg Area Chamber Coffees, often come with valuable announcements of interest.

With all the paperwork done on a grant from the Alabama Historical Commission and work underway at Kymulga Grist Mill park covered bridge repair, the City is exploring other historical grant opportunities from the National Covered Bridge Association. Repairs are inevitable for a pair of historic structures on the property, requiring adherence to historical standards, and staying ahead on funding is a never-ending matter.

The $3.29-million Industrial Access grant has been finalized, giving the green light to road additions to facilitate expansions for Cooper Steel South and Super Rock/Blair Block operations in the Childersburg Industrial Park.At the moments, plans are being reviewed by project engineers to make way for cost estimates, and the road work itself.

A Rebuild Alabama paving grant application for Bates Addition/ 9th Avenue in Childersburg did not make the cut for funding this year, but the program did pay for Forest Hills road improvements and paving.

While school renovations have been taking place at Childersburg’s elementary schools ahead of the new school year, the SAFE-Bridges Program has been keeping the Limbaugh Community Center hopping with activities for the students in that program, and continue closer to the school year start.

Coosa Valley Technologies is looking to expand their broadband internet service into the Childersburg community. If you’re interested, your asked to register your address on the coosavalleyec.com/home-technologies/ website and urger your neighbors to do the same.

Also, if you’re a Childersburg resident who contracts with someone to cut trees on your property, you’re asked to discuss disposal with your contractor, because such contractor work is NOT covered by the City’s yard waste collection and disposal contract.

Childersburg 1st Methodist engaging Childersburg one community event at a time

Childersburg – Childersburg First Methodist is using community events and activities to boost local community engagement and involvement. Here are a couple of family-friendly examples – recent & future.

Several times a year, they use their property adjacent to downtown Childersburg to host Community Block Parties, such as this one from a few weekends ago, featuring fun family-friendly activities – live music (even featuring a talented crew from First Baptist), food and treats, plus pop-up vendors for shopping. On a hot summer day, the waterslide was a HIT with the younger crowd! The events are free to attend and open to literally everyone.

There’s another community block party, “CarniFall” coming in October, but before then, there’s something special for the kids, that provides a great opportunity for parents at the same time. Starting in August, it’s the return of the CFM “Parent’s Night Out” series. They’ll post the dates on their Childersburg First Methodist Church Facebook page. From 5:00 to 8:30 p.m., you can drop off the kids for a free evening that includes dinner, fun games and activities, along with a craft to take home. Best of all, the parents get to enjoy some worry-free couple time.

Now, those are a win – win situations for Childersburg area families!

Childersburg couple arrested on child sex abuse material and drug charges

Childersburg – A Childersburg couple has been arrested on charges of possession of child sex abuse material for dissemination and production of child sex abuse material. They had been arrested earlier in July on various drug charges.

Chad Daniel Smith and Jodi Shell Bowen-Vincent, both 49-year-old, were arrested by agents with the Talladega County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force on the new charges, after being arrested July 0th by the Childersburg Police Department,

Both face charges of Production of Child Sexual Abuse Material, five counts of Dissemination of Child Sex Abuse Material, six counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material With Intent to Distribute. Earlier, both were chargedwith Possession of a Controlled Subtance; Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Talladega County Commission has granted a tax abatement for Honda plant expansion

Lincoln – There’s a new expansion coming to Lincoln’s Honda plant, and the Talladega County Commission has granted a tax abatement to Honda Manufacturing expansion project.

The expansion will create around 200 new jobs by its estimated completion date in July 2029. It will cost around $472 million. According to documents approved by the commission, the expansion will “increase engine plant capacity, transform model flexibility” and include “ancillary projects” as well.

The tax abatement is a 10-year, $11.2 million tax abatement.

FBI warns of a rise in AI-related scams in Alabama

Birmingham – Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the most remarkable and most dangerous technological inventions in history. It accelerates data analysis, automates repetitive and time-consuming tasks and is always available. At the same time, it can displace jobs, is expensive, is not always correct, and can be used for fraud and scams. The latter has the FBI on alert.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement agencies urge us all to remain aware that eEveryone is a potential target, especially senior citizens, and even the tech-savvy young and professionals. The FBI says that Alabama has seen an explosion of AI fraud recently. Data security and personal privacy alerts are high as scams are rising with the increasing use of AI by criminals.

The FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report shows cyber-enabled crimes defrauded Americans of nearly $21 billion, with cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence-related complaints among the costliest. AI scammers are even making use of the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) to ask for personal information in fraudulent investigations.

Clay County man facing federal charges stemming from a 2024 incident

Clay County – Stemming stem from an incident that happened on September 5, 2024, a Clay County man faces federal charges for carjacking, attempted kidnapping, and several other crimes.

Stevie Earl Harris was arraigned in federal court and a five-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges him with attempted kidnapping, carjacking, using/carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, explosive materials – transport by non-licensee, and explosive materials – transport with intent to injure.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristy M. Peoples said that the charges against Harris threatened the safety of an innocent victim and others nearby. Working on the case were the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the Lineville Police Department, the Ashland Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Four resolutions address ambulance and garbage services in Childersburg

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

Childersburg – The Childersburg Council opened their Tuesday, July 21st meeting with four Resolutions relating to ambulance and garbage collection services.

Resolution 2026-18 approves an agreement with Ambulance Medical Billing (AMB) to administer billing services for the city ambulance service. Resolution 2026-19 approves an agreement with Credit Bureau Systems, Inc. for ambulance collection services. Both authorize Mayor Ken Wesson or his designee to execute necessary documents.

Resolution 2026-20 approved an extension agreement with GFL Solid Waste Southeast to provide sanitation services for waste collection and disposal for the city. Resolution 2026-21 approves an agreement with Childersburg Water and Gas Board to provide administrative and billing services related to GFL waste collection. Both authorize Mayor Ken Wesson or his designee to execute necessary documents. The rate will be $26.04 per month for one container and $7 for an additional container.

A one-year subscription for Forinet Premium to provide IT-Firewall service. The cost is $585.23, paid from Fund 8-Alabama Trust.

Approval was given to advertise with Radio Alabama with campaigns highlighting Childersburg community, events, and sports, in the amount of $2,820, paid from Fund 23-LRA.

Payment of invoices in the amount of $240,478.42 was approved.

The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 4th at 6:00 p.m., preceded by a 5:30 work session.

TCSO has issued a B.O.L.O. relating to a 7/17 incident at Walco Handi-Mart

Sylacauga – The Talladega County Sheriff’s Department has issued a “Be On the Lookout Order” (B.O.L.O.) to identify someone who may have information concerning a felony incident under investigation from Friday, July 17th at Walco Handi-Mart in Sylacauga.

The department is looking to the public to identify the person in the accompanying photograph, in relation to their felony investigation. Anyone with information is asked to please contact Talladega County Sheriff’s Department Investigations Division at (256) 761-2141. An anonymous tip can also be left at www.talladegasheriff.org or Crime Stoppers.