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.

Single-vehicle crash has taken the life of an Alabaster man

A single-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 6:45 a.m. Sunday, July 13, has claimed the life of an Alabaster man. James J. Mitchell, 49, was fatally injured when the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado pick up that he was driving left the roadway, struck a cable box, and then a tree.

Mitchell was not using a seat belt at the time of crash and was ejected. He was airlifted to UAB Hospital for treatment where he later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.

The crash occurred on Alabama Highway 25 near Shelby County Road 7, approximately three miles south of Wilsonville, in Shelby County. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate.

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.

This Week Only: The Sylacauga Farmers Markets will be held on Thursday, July 3rd

Sylacauga Farmers Market Manager Will Brooks allowed the vendors to make the decision of when to hold the market with the regular market day falling on the 4th of July holiday, and the market will move to Thursday, this week only.

“We have experienced this three times before and had mixed experiences. Before I took over the market the July 4th market was one of the strongest ever. Since then, we’ve had one great market and one absolutely quiet market. So, I polled the vendors, and they decided to move the market to Thursday this week,” explained Brooks, “I think it had a lot to do with the schedule for our many customers from Blue Bell, across the street from the market. So, we’re adapted for that.”

The special day market on Thursday will still be held from 7:00 a.m. until 12:00 Noon, and the market will return to Friday on July 11th.

Honoring Lieutenant Whatley on his retirement from the Sylacauga Police Department

Thursday, June 26, 2025, marked the final day of service for Lieutenant Willis Whatley as he retired from the Sylacauga Police Department after an incredible career in law enforcement.

Lt. Whatley began his journey in 1993, graduating from the 97th session of the North Alabama Law Enforcement Academy – the final 7-week session in its history. That same year, he started with the Talladega County Sheriff’s Department as a correctional officer and dispatcher before becoming a south-end deputy.

In 2002, Lt. Whatley joined the Sylacauga Police Department, serving in both night and day shift patrols. He was a sniper on the department’s Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Team and was assigned to the Talladega County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force from 2006 to 2009.

Upon returning to the Sylacauga Police Department in 2009, he worked in Investigations before being promoted to Sergeant in 2010 and Lieutenant in 2012. As Lieutenant, he led both patrol and investigative divisions, ultimately serving as Chief Investigator.

Lt. Whatley is a decorated officer, earning numerous honors including:
* 2009 Officer of the Year
* 2010 Chamber of Commerce Officer of the Year
* Several Meritorious Service Awards
* Department Service Awards
* Perfect Attendance, Safe Driving, and Firearms Expert Awards

He is also a Certified Firearms Instructor, FTO Instructor, Traffic Homicide Investigator (THI), Tier 1 Investigator, and Certified Law Enforcement Executive (CLEEP). During his career, he also earned his associate degree in Criminal Justice from Columbia Southern University.

Please join the Sylacauga Police Department in thanking Lt. Whatley for his dedication, leadership, and more than three decades of service to our community. We wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement!

2025 Childersburg Municipal Election Candidates

The Greater Coosa Valley Chamber of Commerce has made the announcement of the official candidates who qualified to run for office during the upcoming Childersburg Municipal Election.

Here are those candidates for Mayor and the five City Council Wards:

Mayor:
Ken “Yank” Wesson (Incumbent)
Damon Earl Warren

Ward A:
Brandon Robinson (Incumbent)
Anthony Lewis
Robert “Robbie” Riddle

Ward B:
William “Bill” Moody (Incumbent)
Jonathan “JB” Barclay
Paul “Wayne” Spivey
Shaquita Swain

Ward C:
Gerald Wallace

Ward D:
Wesley Allen (Incumbent)
Erin Haynes

Ward E:
Tommy Ivey (Incumbent)
Jame “James” Marbury
Christopher “Michael” McLain

The Childersburg Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, August 26.

2025 Sylacauga Municipal Election Candidates

Twenty candidates filed the necessary paperwork qualify to run for office during the upcoming Sylacauga Municipal Election in August.

The following have registered as candidates and are expected to appear on the ballot:

Mayor:
Jim Heigl (incumbent)
Matt Hubbard
Bryan Taunton
Jada Thomas-Combs

District 1:
Greer Bisignani
Colton Craft
Mike Landers
Sherrel Mickey
Tina Sanders

District 2:
Tiffany Nix (incumbent)
Christopher Kirkland
Antonio “A.J.” Stamps

District 3:
Nate Brewer (incumbent)
Zac Mayo

District 4:
Lee Perryman (incumbent)
Cedric Debardlabon
Diana Thornton
Tim Vincent

District 5:
Laura Heath (incumbent)
John Wesson

The Sylacauga Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.