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School start means more traffic, stronger enforcement

STATEWIDE, Ala. – with the start of a new school year, there are a few “gIvens” involved in your morning and afternoon plans, even if you don’t have kids in school. There will be more traffic on the roadways, as school busses, parents transporting children, and students licensed to drive will be making their way to and from school.

Crossing guards will be directing traffic at each school location during school traffic hours, in both the morning and afternoon hours throughout the school year. Police officers will be closely monitoring school traffic, particularly near these intersections to ensure that motorist is complying with the crossing guards, traffic control devices and state traffic laws – especially those involving traffic as school buses pick-up and drop-off students along their routes.

Every year the first few days of school bring excitement for the students and faculty, as well as a certain amount of aggravation to those who are trying to get to work during the increased traffic that comes with the start of school. In a couple of days, everyone will readjust to the flow of traffic and the fact that we have more vehicles on the roadway during these times. Be patient, drive defensively with the understanding that there will be more traffic during these times and that many of them are inexperienced drivers. People trying to get to work may want to leave a little earlier than normal to avoid becoming delayed, particularly during the morning traffic, maybe even selecting a new route to avoid school zones.

$25 million direct loan approved to support continued development of Westwater’s Kellyton Graphite Plant

Kellyton – Westwater Resources, Inc., an energy technology and battery-grade natural graphite company, today announced that the Export-Import Bank of the United States has approved a $25 million direct loan to support continued development of the Company’s Kellyton Graphite Plant in Coosa County, Alabama.

The financing was approved under EXIM’s Make More in America Initiative, which supports export-oriented domestic manufacturing projects that strengthen critical U.S. supply chains. J.P. Morgan’s Securitized Products Group served as the Arranger and Structuring Agent in connection with the transaction.

The $25 million loan will provide non-dilutive capital to advance construction, equipment installation, commissioning and operational readiness activities at the Kellyton Graphite Plant. The financing is expected to support Westwater’s objective of commencing commercial production in 2027.

“This non-dilutive financing represents a significant milestone for Westwater and an important federal commitment to building a secure domestic supply chain for battery-grade natural graphite,” said Terence Cryan, Executive Chairman of Westwater Resources. “Kellyton is the most advanced American battery-grade natural graphite processing project, enjoying a 3-5 year first mover advantage over potential North American competitors. EXIM’s support strengthens our path toward commercial production in 2027 and recognizes the strategic importance of establishing this critical manufacturing capability here at home.”

Phase I of the Kellyton Graphite Plant is designed to produce approximately 12,500 metric tons of coated spherical purified graphite annually. The plant is strategically located in Alabama near a growing concentration of battery and automotive manufacturing operations across the southeastern United States.

The Kellyton Graphite Plant is the downstream advanced processing component of Westwater’s vertically integrated, mine-to-market strategy. The Company is also advancing the Coosa Graphite Deposit, located approximately 30 miles from Kellyton, as a potential long-term domestic source of natural graphite flake concentrate for the plant. Westwater holds mineral rights across approximately 41,965 acres at Coosa, which the Company believes is the largest and most advanced natural flake graphite deposit in the contiguous United States.

The Nevermore celebrates its first year in downtown Childersburg

Childersburg – Aaron Campbell’s downtown Childersburg creation. “The Nevermore,” celebrated its first anniversary of the weekend.

“It’s been an interesting journey, taking things step by step, with a long way to go,” said Campbell We asked the business owner to name a few superlatives he’s experienced so far.

Biggest Accomplishment: “August 3rd, 2025 – simply getting the doors open for business. The three months before that and the three months after were so important, putting things together, making adjustments, taking big steps as we laid the foundation for what was to come.”

Best Decision(s): “First was getting the kitchen open at just the right time. That’s been huge. Adding karaoke on Friday nights really kicked things into another gear, allowing us to add fun things throughout the week. And, it was huge to expand to being open seven days a week. So, timing of the way things came together provided the best decisions.”

Biggest Surprise: ”I’d say there’s been a couple of things – the way a strong group of regulars embraced what we’re trying to create – a place to gather for enjoyable time with friends. They drive the ideas behind the place, the menu, the events and activities we’ve added along the way.”

Biggest Obstacle Overcome: “Knowing from the start that I can’t do this alone, it’s been about finding the right people to give The Nevermore it’s personality, it’s identity as a place people want to enjoy good food, good friends in a fun atmosphere. People – that’s the difference-maker for any business, but it’s vital for a gathering place.”

What’s Ahead: “Oh, plenty! Next is probably adding lunch in the coming weeks. To go along with that, we’ll add more seating as we expand into next door, where we’ll also have our micro-brewery, adding our very own brews, built around interesting Scottish ales. That’s been where we’ve been heading all along – creating a unique restaurant and pub with signature tastes people enjoy, step by step.”

Gov. Ivey offers $10,000 reward in Talladega County murder investigation

ALPINE, Ala. – Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whomever is responsible for the February shooting death of in Alpine.

Early on February 23rd, Talladega County sheriff’s deputies initially responded around 1:40 a.m. to a report of a single-vehicle crash in the 2000 block of Grist Mill Road. 51-year-old LaDale U. Garrett was found suffering from an apparent gunshot wound inside his truck on Grist Mill Road near Reynolds Mill Road.

Garrett was taken to Citizens Baptist Medical Center before being transferred to UAB Hospital, where he was pronounced dead around 5:40 a.m. Garrett’s family said he had been on his way to work. The Talladega County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the incident.

Jury awards $5 million to a Sylacauga native after she suffered rare form of paralysis

Jefferson County – A Jefferson County jury has awarded $5 million to a Sylacauga native in a verdict against the University of Alabama Health Services Foundation, the private corporation that employs UAB Hospital providers.

According to the complaint, filed in January 2018, Anna Comer suffered a catastrophic brain injury after being hospitalized at UAB in 2016 for liver failure. The filing stated that improper sodium monitoring and inadequate water intake over multiple days led to a rare condition called “locked-in syndrome.”

That condition left Comer fully conscious but completely paralyzed except for eye movement She emerged from locked-in syndrome after two months and underwent extensive inpatient rehabilitation to relearn basic functions including walking, talking and other daily activities. While her legal team described her partial recovery as as “miraculous,” Comer continues to experience permanent issues.

Attorneys Rip Andrews and Derrick Mills of Birmingham firm Marsh, Rickard & Bryan represented Comer during the 10-day trial.

The Childersburg Water, Sewer, and Gas Board was recently targeted by an attempted cyber attack

Childersburg – The Childersburg Water, Sewer, and Gas Board has reported that its Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system (SCADA) was targeted by a cyberattack late last month. The attack happened July 27th and targeted a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) within the SCADA system.

Board Director Travis Mizzell said that multiple other public utilities also were targeted. Mizzell told the Council, “The community’s drinking water supply was never threatened and customers experienced no service disruptions during or after the incident.”

Once the attempted intrusion was identified, department personnel took the SCADA network offline as a precaution as all operations – water, sewer, and gas services continued without interruption via manual operating systems.

Mizzell reported the cyber attack to the FBI and other appropriate agencies in accordance with established procedures, “We are cooperating with authorities as the investigation continues.”

In the meantime, utlitiy crews are installing additional cybersecurity protections. The upgrades are designed to strengthen defenses against future attacks and improve overall system security and should be completed in a week or so.

Talladega man faces charges stemming from a series of attacks on Flock cameras

Talladega – A Talladega man, 36-year-old Colton Lynn Dorough was arrested on Wednesday, July 29th by the Talladega County Sheriff’s Department, charged with Criminal Mischief 1st Degree.

Those charges stem from a series of attacks on Flock cameras owned by Talladega County. Dorough is alleged to have fired a weapon at multiple Flock cameras on several occasions between June and July, 2026, causing damage to the equipment. He is facing six counts of Criminal Mischief and one count of Destroying Cable Property in connection with the incidents.

Sylacauga Parks & Recreation Announces Ground Breaking for New Rec Center

Sylacauga – The Sylacauga Parks and Recreation will host the Ground Breaking Ceremony for the new recreation center on Wednesday, August 12 at 5:30 p.m. Everyone in the community is invited to attend this long-awaited event. The ceremony will begin promptly at 5:30 PM at the site which is situated at Highway 21, North Norton Avenue, and Central Avenue (behind Chevron gas station).

This project, which was initiated in 2022, is the fulfillment of four years of in-depth research and careful planning. The new Recreation Center will feature:

● Two basketball courts that can also accommodate four volleyball courts.
● A fully equipped fitness center with cardio equipment, strength machines, and free weights.
● An indoor walking track providing a safe, climate-controlled place to exercise year-round.
● An eight-lane swimming pool for lap and competitive swimming.
● A separate 31⁄2-foot-deep instructional pool area for swim lessons, water aerobics, and therapy programs.
● Locker rooms with showers.
● A concession area to serve tournaments and special events.
● Two multi-purpose meeting rooms for community meetings, classes, and private events.

Construction will begin shortly after the ground breaking ceremony, and the project iis expected to take approximately two years to complete.

“This Recreation Center represents much more than a new building. It is an investment in the health, wellness, and quality of life of our citizens for generations to come. We are grateful to everyone who has played a part in making this vision a reality, and we look forward to welcoming our community into a facility that will serve Sylacauga for many years to come,” said Steve Masters, Executive Director of the Sylacauga Parks and Recreation.

Free laundry days this week at Suds-R-Us locations – Childersburg on Wednesday (8/5) & Montevallo on Thursday (8/6)

Childersburg & Montevallo – Washer, dryer, and even detergent are free from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5th, at the Highway 280 location of Suds-R-Us in Childersburg, thanks to Surrendered Ministries.

And on Thursday, August 6th in Montevallo, Beacon of Hope Ministries teams up with Shelby Emergency Services for “Loads of Love,” free laundry day from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Suds-R-Us location on Highway 25 in Montevallo.

No registration is necessary. No questions asked, just free laundry service from Suds-R-Us.

Coosa Valley Technologies approved for a franchise agreement in Childersburg to provide internet & phone services

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

Childersburg – The Childersburg Council approves Ordinance 1158, which authorizes a franchise agreement with Coosa Valley Technologies to allow use of public rights-of-way in providing telecommunications services within the city – broadband internet and telephone.

If you’re in or around Childersburg and are interested, go the https://www.coosavalleytech.com/ to request service at your address and encourage neighbors to do the same.

In a procedural move, the Council approved Resolution 2026-22, which formalizes the city’s participation in the Rebuild Alabama Plan FY 2027.

Resolution 2026-23 also gained approval to execute the revised participation agreement with the Municipal Workers Compensation Fund, Inc.

The City Building Inspector was approved to receive a salary of $800 bi-weekly.

Several training session expenses were approved for the Police Department. Lt. Brandon Hughes and Officer Dylan Jenkins will attend the Pursuit Intervention Technique course in Huntsville on November 2nd at a cost of $400 per registration and use of a city vehicle for travel use only.

Officers Dylan Jenkins and Aaron Gaffney will attend Leadership & Front-Line Supervisors course in Abbeville on September 23rd & 24th at $199 per registration, 2-nights lodging, use of a city vehicle, and per diem.

The Council approved advertising with the Football Edition Magazine from The Daily Home for $495 from Fund 23-LRA, for a full page color advertisement.

While the City seeks his permanent replacement, the Council authorized Brad Logan as a part-time, temporary worker for the Recreation Department at a rate of $800 bi-weekly.

The Council approved payment of invoices in the amount of $81,157.42.

The next regular meeting of the Council will be held on Tuesday, August 18th at 11:00 a.m., following a 10:30 work session.