Category: GCV News

“The Block” undergoes demolition, but plenty of memories are still alive

Heavy equipment is finishing up the demolition work at an historic West 3rd Street shopping center, across from the Farmer’s Furniture building. Many regarded it as an eyesore, while others reminisced and shared memories of the good old days.

While the place had been abandoned for years and had become a dangerous nuisance, even before a recent fire broke out, the memories of time spent there in a long line of locally-owned businesses made their way around social media.

It’s gone by several names over the decades – Shephard Shopping Center, The Block. There were so many businesses that called it home over time – Dud’s Snack Bar, Hale’s Barber Shop, Theodore’s Laundromat, Ridgeway’s Kitchen, several beauty salons, and many more businesses. One of the community favorites was Hobo’s Restaurant, where the food was so good and the kitchen so small, if you didn’t get there close to noon, you missed your chance for lunch that day.

A fun Childersburg annual tradition has a vital public safety purpose

Every year, the Childersburg Water, Sewer Gas Board hosts a fun and rewarding community event, whose purpose is rooted in safety – Natural Gas Public Awareness Day!

They invite the public to join them ons Friday, October 3rd, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for Natural Gas Public Awareness Day. The goal is to educate the public on the many dangers associated with natural gas and what to do if you smell natural gas.

But it also provides a lot of community fun and fellowship – free hot dogs, chips, popcorn, and drinks, along with giving away gift bags while supplies last. Reading an informative card about natural gas safety and the importance of the 8-11 call before you dig, and signing and returning it, makes you eligible for cassh drawings, too.

Enjoy all that is Pinhoti Fest 2025 in Sylacauga’s Noble Park this weekend

The crowd is already gathering in Sylacauga’s Noble Park for Pinhoti Fest 2025, that lasts through the weekend, bringing together hikers, families, and enthusiasts for a celebration of Alabama’s outdoor heritage. Tonight, the Sylacauga Parks and Recreation Departments adds Food Truck Friday to the festival line-up.

The annual event is to highlight the 351-mile Pinhoti Trail, a scenic path that winds through Alabama and Georgia. The trail’s southern end lies near Sylacauga at historic Flagg Mountain, a popular access point &/or end-point for adventurers across the region.

Festival organizers say Pinhoti Fest is more than an outdoor expo. It features live music, vendors, workshops, and food, combining with outdoor gear displays, family activities, and a lot of visitors camping in Noble Park for the weekend.

The gathering has grown into a community tradition that underscores the cultural and recreational significance of the Pinhoti Trail. Its mix of adventure, education, and entertainment that connects people of all ages with the landscapes that make Alabama a destination for hiking and exploration.

Cooper Steel celebrates expansion with an Open House and Grand Opening of the Cooper Clinic

Childersburg’s Cooper Steel South is experiencing growth, and they are teaming with the Greater Coosa Valley Chamber to show off a part of that expansion with an Open House on Wednesday, October 29th.

GCV Chamber President/CEO John Mark Freeman invites the public to the event, “Come help us celebrate their brand-new office space and the grand opening of the Cooper Clinic. We are proud to support Cooper Steel South as they continue to grow and invest in our community.”

The Open House will take place on Tuesday, October 29th from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 Noon.

Sylacauga and Childersburg voters have made their Municipal Election choices in Run-off Elections

Sylacauga voters have chosen a new Mayor, as well as who will represent District 4 for the next four years, joining Greer Wright Bisignani (District 1), Tiffany Nix (District 2), Nate Brewer (District 3), and Laura Barlow Heath (District 5). Here are the numbers from the J Craig Smith Community Center:

Mayor:
Matt Hubbard 1,137 Winner
Bryan Taunton 1,091

District 4:
Lee Perryman 178
Tim Vincent 386 Winner

Childersburg voters came to the polls today to select who will represent Ward B and Ward E for the next four years, joing Mayor Ken Wesson and Council members Robbie Riddle (Ward A), Gerald Wallace (Ward C), and Wesley Allen (Ward D). Here are the numbers from the Limbaugh Community Center:

Ward B:
Jonathan “JB” Barclay 86
Paul “Wayne” Spivey 105 Winner

Ward E:
Tommy Ivey (Incumbent) 74 Winner
Jame “James” Marbury 52

A great crowd was on hand to celebrate a pair of new downtown Childersburg businesses

Mayor Ken Wesson welcomed a large crowd to celebrate a dual ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Nevermore and Salon Paragon, “I’m so happy, watching all the new business coming into our downtown.”

Up first was the ceremony for the new bar and grill, The Nevermore. Owner Aaron Campbell said, “It’s been a long road that’s still not at its end, as we are still working to add our kitchen to feed our patrons, as well as our own micro-brewery next door, The Argyle. I’m really in love with the town. Watch us grow!”

Right now, they’re open Wednesday through Sunday starting at 3:00 each afternoon. They’re open until 9:00 on Wednesday and Thursday, until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 7:00 in Sundays. The Nevermore features Mikey’s trivia on Wednesday nights and karaoke on Friday nights.

Kayedee Phillips Garner wanted to be closer to home and family, so she relocated her Chelsea salon to 8th Avenue in downtown Childersburg as Salon Paragon, “I wanted a warm, earthy, welcoming atmosphere. It’s been a lot of work, but that’s what we have created.”

Besides Kayedee, she has already added a pair of hair stylists as well as a lash tech. Salon Paragon is open from 9:00 to 5:00 on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9:00 to 3:00 on Wednesdays and 8:00 to 1:00 on Saturdays.

Mayor Wesson added that the crowds these two businesses have attracted to 8th Avenue, along with their across the street neighbors, Another Level Cards, has pushed the City to add more off street parking, “We’re upgrading the lighting through Alabama Power, and work on a new parking lot begins next week on City property behind 1st Street businesses, as 8th bends back around to 1st Street across from Kiwanis Park. We’re excited to grow even more.”

Sylacauga couple indicted on willful child abuse charges in Talladega County

Court records show that a Sylacauga couple has been indicted on charges of willful child abuse in Talladega County.

Felicia Dawn Gates and Deavon Scot Burtran were each indicted for willful abuse of a child under the age of 18.

According to complaints filed in 2024 when Gates was first taken into custody on December 6, 2024 by the Talladega County Sheriff’s Department, she was reported to have struck the child in the face with a shoe and withheld food from the child.

Burtran is accused of grabbing and fracturing that child’s arm, as well as malnutrition. Burtran entered a not guilty plea and waived arraignment.

You’re invited: Ground-breaking for the new ALICE Center and Head Start facilities in Childersburg

Gerald Wallace’s dream of a unique new type of community center is taking a step forward on October. The ALICE Center and TCR Childcare are partnering to create a new community hub at the corner of 9th Avenue and Southern Street in downtown Childersburg.

There will be a ground-breaking ceremony and celebration for the new facility that will feature:

  • Head Start for children ages 6-weeks to 5-years-old
  • Tech Center for youth programs, workforce training, and family support

The ground-breaking event will take place on Monday, October 13, 2025, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. The event will include food and drink, remarks from Gerald Wallace and TCR Childcare, and the ground-breaking ceremony. Please RSVP to the event by following the attached QR Code below.

Help build beds for students in need – Making a difference together

Last school year, a student project led to dozens of students got something they didn’t have, their own bed. This year, they’re taking up where they left off, but they could use your help.

Building Construction students from Childersburg, Comer, Fayetteville, Winterboro, and Agriscience students from Munford High and Middle want to once again build beds for children in our community who do not have one of their own.

Last year, thanks to a grant, students across the county built over 60 beds for their fellow classmates. One of the most powerful moments came when a student who had been helping with the project quietly shared with his teacher that he had been sleeping on the floor at night. Without anyone knowing, a bed was built for him. That’s the kind of life-changing impact this project makes.

Unfortunately, right now there’s no grant funding to cover the cost of lumber. It takes about $2,500 in materials to build 15 beds. Students will volunteer their time and skills in class to construct the beds, gaining both hands-on training and a deeper sense of empathy for their peers. Sleep In Heavenly Peace volunteers partner with our career technical programs to begin the bed build at the schools and to finish the build, pick up the beds, and thank the students. SLP delivers the beds to volunteers from the United Way of Talladega who deliver the beds and bedding weekly to children on the waiting list across our county. There were 700 names on this list at one point.

How you can help:

  • Please consider making a donation to support this effort.
  • Donate directly to Childersburg High School or Munford High School by scanning the QR code on the included flyer.
  • When donating through Venmo, include in the note: “Munford Bed Build” or “Childersburg Bed Build” to ensure your support goes to the correct school’s effort.
  • Every dollar brings us closer to ensuring no child in Talladega County has to sleep on the floor. Please also share the included flyer with your students and families. Some may discover resources they didn’t know were available, and together we can reach even more children in need.

Thank you for supporting this incredible mission. With your help, we can make sure “No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town.”

CACC Announces Summer 2025 President’s and Dean’s Lists

Central Alabama Community College (CACC) has announced the students named to the President’s and Dean’s Lists for the Summer 2025 semester, recognizing academic excellence and dedication across its campuses.

To qualify for the President’s List, students must maintain a perfect 4.0 grade point average while completing at least 12 semester hours of coursework. This summer, 16 students earned this top academic honor.

The Dean’s List recognizes students who achieved a GPA of 3.5 or higher under the same course load requirements. For Summer 2025, 22 students reached this distinction.

“These lists reflect the hard work, focus, and commitment our students bring to their education,” said CACC President Jeff Lynn. “We are proud of these individuals for setting a high standard and representing the strength of our college community.”

President’s List:

Stephanie Battle-Gaddis, Alpine AL
Thomas Brandt Bishop, Auburn AL
Gracey Bradley, Prattville AL
John David Brown, Ashland AL
Kye Elizabeth Burel,Talladega AL
Lucas Isaac Craig, Prattville AL
Serenity Mae Goolsby, Sylacauga AL
Jacey Hay, Sylacauga AL
Sterling Brooke Heath, Goodwater AL
Tabitha Marlowe, Eclectic AL
Madison McDonald, Millbrook AL
Scout Montgomery, Prattville AL
Emily Rebecca Nabors, Talladega AL
Katherine Susanne Trammel, Prattville AL
Nora Elizabeth Whitworth, Talladega AL
Brycen Staton Wilson, Sylacauga AL

Dean’s List:

Laura Elizabeth Battle Alexander City, AL
Joseph Baughman, Wetumpka AL
William Donald Bolton, Wetumpka AL
Rodney Brantley, Prattville AL
Robert Hunter Cleveland, Sylacauga AL
Hayden Corey Cole, Auburn AL
Matthew Cost, Pelham AL
Angel Renee Heath, Sylacauga AL
Darren Chance Henderson, Prattville AL
Kadynce Marianne Jacks, Dadeville AL
Celeste Gallops Lewis, Alexander City AL
Hunter Ivan McClendon, Alexander City AL
Edwyn Mendez-Perez, Alexander City AL
April Michelle Peppers, Sylacauga AL
Caitlyn Era Cheyenne, Pike Alexander City AL
James Adam Roberson, Montgomery AL
Trice B Sanders, Lanett AL
Meori Xalae Smith, Goodwater AL
Tran Tran Smith, Alexander City AL
Charles William Douglas Tillman, Goodwater AL
Brianna Townsend, Sylacauga AL
Pearson Reed Yarbrough, Arab AL