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.
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 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.
For the past year, select members of the Junior and Senior classes from Childersburg and Fayetteville High Schools have been privileged to be a part of the Greater Coosa Valley Chamber Young Professionals group, on a journey to learn and grow. This past week, this class was honored with a graduation ceremony.
“Young Professionals is about showing our youth of today, the possibilities of tomorrow,” explained Chamber President/CEO John Mark Freeman, “We strive to help our youth learn more about leadership, the community, and themselves.”
During the year-long program, the students experience local business and industry, participate in putting on local events, and so much more that the community has to offer, “By the time they graduate, we want them to be in tune with all that is the Greater Coosa Valley.”
This year’s graduation ceremony for the GCV Young Professionals was held at the Childersburg Parks & Recreation Center. Young Professionals Addison Gleason of Childersburg High and Ethan Butler of Fayetteville High were named recipients of 2024-25 Young Professional Scholarships.
Graduating Young Professionals were
Childersburg High: Addison Gleason, Arardia Harrison, Shakira Harrison, Clarrisa McAdams, Caleigh Pearson, Chase Price, and Gracie Wallenfang.
The Sylacauga Board of ion opened their Tuesday, March 18 business meeting with approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with First Bank of Alabama for the Centennial Building donation. The building, located on the north-east corner of the Norton Avenue at 1st Street intersection, will be used by the school system as an alternative school location, among other uses to be determined.
In other New Business, the Board approved financials: Payroll, Accounts Payable and CNP Accounts Payable, along with New Teacher Mentors for second semester of the current 2024-2025 school year, as well as adoption of the K-12 Science Textbook/Supplemental Curriculum.
The Board approved a bid for $266,807.12 to Incare Technologies for the Network Switch and Wireless Access Point, required by E-Rate.
In Personnel matters, the Board accepted the following retirements: Sharon Futral, Full Time Bus Driver, effective June 1, 2025; Gail Duncan, CNP Worker, Pinecrest Elementary, effective April 1, 2025; Sheila Giddens, School Nurse, Pinecrest Elementary, effective June 1, 2025; and Tracy Green, Fifth Grade Teacher, Pinecrest Elementary, effective June 1, 2025.
The resignation was accepted from: Heather Collier, Indian Valley Elementary, Special Education, Self-Contained Teacher, effective at the end of 2024-2025 school year.
The Board also approved the following transfers of: Kelley Holbrook, Nichols Lawson Middle School Bookkeeper to Sylacauga High School Bookkeeper, effective March 31, 2025; Malesha Garrett, Nichols Lawson Middle School Secretary to Nichols Lawson Middle School Bookkeeper, effective March 31, 2025; and Skylar Patterson, Nichols Lawson Middle School Special Education Teacher to Sylacauga High School Special Education Teacher, effective 2025-2026 School Year.
Employment was approved for: Eula Renae Moon Walton, CNP Manager, Pinecrest Elementary, effective March 31, 2025; and Erica Harwell, Sylacauga High School, Attendance Clerk, effective March 19, 2025.
The Board approved a pair of Summer Programs for: Summer Literacy/Math Camp Staff, effective Summer 2025; and Transportation Summer Workers, effective Summer 2025.
Supplements were approved for: National Board Certified Teachers Supplements; additional hours for SHS Teachers for AP Review Sessions; Additional hours for SHS and NLMS Health Science Teachers; Isaac Jennings, Varsity Boys Volunteer Coach for Track, Sylacauga High School, effective immediately.
Leaves Of Absence were approved for Brenda Durden, Nichols-Lawson Middle School, effective immediately through end of 2024-2025 school year; and Lane Strickland, Nichols Lawson Middle School, effective March 31 through end of 2024-25 school year.
The Board approved Emilyanne Steers as a system-wide Substitute Teacher, effective immediately.
Prior to the meeting, the Board enjoyed a presentation celebrating Arts Education Month with highlights of the school system’s Fine Arts Programs. Also highlighted was the Sylacauga High School Boys Varsity Basketball Team and Coaches for their excellence during the just completed season, which ended as the 5A State Runnerup with a 30 – 4 overall record.
Read the accounts &/or watch the meeting video below:
Mayor Ken Wesson reported that all City departments were proactive in preparing for this past weekend’s storms, “They inspected their facilities, collecting and storing all items that might be subject to problems from the expected high winds. With over four-inches of rain in a very short period of time, we did experience a few short-term flooding issues, but we were pleased at how quickly the excess rain subsided. We were fortunate that we did not experience what our neighbors in Winterboro dealt with.”
Wesson reported that the City storm shelter housed 35 people during the evening on Saturday, March 15th, while 52 took advantage of the safe zone at the Limbaugh Community Center, “We got the all clear at 11:00 p.m. and allowed our emergency visitors to go home.”
The Childersburg City Council opened their Tuesday, March 18th regular business meeting by revisiting an item from the last meeting, when they approved ABC Beer and Wine Retail licenses for Quik Sak (32522 US Highway 280, Childersburg. This meeting, the Council also approved a Retail Liquor Class C license, added by the ABC Board.
Having completed his certification, Joseph Lide was approved for a classification change to firefighter/paramedic at an hourly pay rate of $16 per hour.
The Council approved a hole sponsorship for the scheduled April 14, 2025 golf tournament for Elks Lodge 2295 for $100, paid from Fund 23.
Payment of invoices was approved in the amount of $844,125.84, including a $400,000+ payment on the construction project for the new Police-Judicial Complex on Highway 280.
Wesson also announced receipt of approval of ADECA grant funds for the Childersburg Police Department in the amount of $23,540.
After the meeting Chief Kevin Koss said that the grant funds will be used in a variety of projects inside the new Police-Judicial Complex, “The funds are to address gun violence, and the terms will allow a wide range of uses that meet the standards. It will be difference-making.”
The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday April 1st, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
With conflicting assessments by the companies involved, the Oak Grove Town Council has voted to seek an independent assessment of the Gantts Junction paving project which has shown signs of premature breakdown in spots.
In making the proposal, Councilman David Harris said, “I think we need to get ahead of this, to have an outside expert make an independent assessment of exactly what we’re looking at, what’s behind the road surface breaking down in spots, and what our options might be going forward.”
The Council voted to spend up to $5,000 to make the independent assessment.
In other new business, a draft agreement with Talladega County for responsibilities and duties during the upcoming municipal election was presented for study. A vote on the agreement is expected to be on the April meeting agenda.
Mayor Tony White reported his plans to attend the Alabama League of Municipalities Convention in Huntsville, May 13 – 16. Several Town Council members were not certain of their plans at the moment. A vote was tabled on the Voting Delegate Authorization form selections, along with authorization of expenses for attendance.
Following discussion of a proposal from Rock Solid Operations, LLC for curbside pick-up of debris, the Council voted to authorize Mayor Tony White to confirm the length of the proposed agreement, which would greatly reduce the cost for providing twice per month service on the first and third Mondays of each month.
A proposal from Republic Waste to provide dumpster service for the Town of Oak Grove was tabled while the Town Clerk’s office solicits bids for service from other providers.
Read the accounts &/or watch the meeting video below:
The Tuesday, March 4th Childersburg City Council meeting opened with passage of Resolution 2025-04, which authorizes the City to enter into a working agreement with Talladega County and its Board of Registrars for the 2025 Municipal Election, authorizing Mayor Ken Wesson to execute the agreement.
The Council approved an ABC license for Quik Sak Grocery, located at 32522 US Highway 280, Suite A in the city. It includes off-premise-only sales for beer and wine.
The new Childersburg Police/Judicial Complex will have a new 60-foot flagpole, installed by Alabama Flag and Banner. The cost, including flags is $18391.50, paid from Fund 65-Direct Support.
The Council also approved purchase and installation of 30 Alibi Cameras, along with a network video system from Advanced Integrated Security at a cost of $27,7999 paid from Fund 25. It will give complete security coverage of the complex interior and exterior, and will include an outdoor “safe zone” for public transactions, child custody swaps, or any other citizen activity that would benefit from the service.
During a safety inspection of the baseball/softball complex, a dangerous loose wire was discovered. Mayor Wesson authorized the emergency repair at a cost of $2,100. That same inspection identified fencing issues needing repair before the start of the upcoming season. The Council approved costs, not to exceed $11,500 from Fund 65-Direct Support.
The Council approved payment of invoices in the amount of $180,879.55.
The next regular meeting of the City Council will be Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 6:00 pm.
