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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.

Could an investigative excavation near Lincoln be linked to a Pell City missing person case from 1992?

Lincoln – A major, ongoing police excavation is currently taking place on Wolf Pond Road in Talladega County, between Lincoln and Pell City. The site is an open field and contains no standing structures.

The excavation project is being led by the Pell City Police Department following a tip they say is linked to an open case. Also working the scene are the FBI, the Talladega County Sheriff’s Office, the Lincoln Police Department, and the Jacksonville State University (JSU) Center for Applied Forensics.

Law enforcement officials have remained tight-lipped about exactly what they are looking for, but have confirmed it is an “open investigation.” The extended excavation and use of forensics teams have led to rampant local speculation that it may be tied to a cold case, such as the 1992 disappearance of Felicia Cochran in Pell City.

Suspicious activity an Ashland motel a false bomb scare and arrest of a local man

Ashland – An investigation into suspicious activity at an Ashland motel lead authorities to believe there were explosives on site. There were not, but a local man was arrested on multiple criminal offenses.

Joseph Blancher was arrested at the Country Inn Motel, where the Clay County Sheriff’s Office found materials they believed to be explosives. The building was evacuated and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Bomb Squad was called in to investigate.

After a thorough investigation, the bomb squad determined that the materials posed no danger to the public, they did find illegal drugs, paraphernalia, a working still, and untaxed illegal alcohol, for which Blancher was charged.

The Ashland Police Department and the Lineville Police Department assisted with this investigation.

A man has been arrested in connection to last week’s Springville bank robbery

Springville – A person has been arrested in connection to a bank robbery last week in Springville, when officials said a man wearing a motorcycle helmet walked into a PNC Bank in the early afternoon hours of Monday, July 13, and placed a handgun on the counter before demanding money from the cash drawer.

After he allegedly received an undetermined amount of money, the man left the scene on a motorcycle. Local authorities reached out to the public for witnesses to help identify the suspect.

According to the Springville Police Department, 50-year-old Kristopher Michael Tribble of Pinson was arrested on Saturday, July 18th and charged with Robbery 1st Degree. Authorities say that items that collected from the suspects residence are the same items seen in videos and pictures during the bank robbery itself.

Springville Police Chief Jason Mize said that flock cameras helped in the investigation, also adding thanks the public for submitting tips to authorities.

Three Sylacauga area high school seniors complete economic and community development training at Huntingdon College

Montgomery – Rising high school seniors, Abba Crumpton of Fayetteville High School, Allaster Hay of B.B. Comer High School, and Hayden Hubbard of Sylacauga High School, were three of twenty-three high school students representing seventeen Alabama Chambers of Commerce to attend the seventh Huntingdon College Economic and Community Development Scholars Program. Abba, Allaster, and Hayden represented the Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce.

The three-day, two-night event was hosted by Huntingdon College in partnership with the Huntingdon College Presidential Scholars Program and the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama. The annual program introduces students to the importance of economic and community development across Alabama on a state and local level.

To receive first-hand experience in economic and community development, the students were divided into teams and assigned a city in Alabama to represent. The students were tasked with assuming public office identities and using their knowledge of their hometown to vie for a corporation to make their headquarters in the city. After completing assignments in the project, including creating a town highlight tour, the teams gave their final pitch to President Leigh and guests. The winning team was highlighted in a groundbreaking ceremony and ribbon cutting ceremony after the final presentations on Friday.

Huntingdon College President Anthony Leigh shared high praise for the students stating, “Each year, this program brings together some of the most promising young leaders from high schools across Alabama, and this year’s cohort is no exception. These students are motivated, thoughtful, community-minded, and eager to make a positive impact. They represent the very best of their schools and hometowns, and it is clear that their local Chambers of Commerce recognized outstanding potential in each of them. Their creativity, curiosity, leadership, and genuine commitment to service set them apart. As ambassadors for their communities and as emerging leaders for our state, these students remind us that Alabama’s future is in capable and inspiring hands.”

Don’t miss the Community Block Party at Childersburg First Methodist

Childersburg – You’re all invited to join Childersburg First Methodist for a fun-filled day with the community on Saturday, July 18th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 603 4th St SW, Childersburg, AL 35044.

There will be Food trucks, vendors, a waterslide, a car show, fun games & more for a FREE event that’s open to everyone. So bring your family and friends and come enjoy a day of fun.

Newly renovated Beth Yates Park reopens with a Ribbon Cutting

Sylacauga – Sylacauga Parks and Recreation reopened Beth Yates Park on Thursday with a Ribbon Cutting ceremony, following months of renovation that included handicap accessible new playground equipment, shaded landscaping, and interactive signage.

“As part of a continuing project to update and upgrade our entire park system, we are here today to open Beth Yates Park,” said department Director, Steve Masters, “This park targets families with toddler age children – a safe place for young children to run and play.”

Masters noted previous projects that replaced the former municipal swimming pool with popular pickleball courts, along with an outdoor basketball court, along with major upgrades to the city’s largest park, Noble Park, “Next on our list will be South Highland and Fairmont Parks, as well as a new recreation center with an emphasis on swimming facilities and multi-sport gyms for basketball, volleyball, and much more.”

Masters thanked the City Council for their support and dedication to recreation facility improvements, “Thanks to their leadership, we have taken great strides with a lot more coming. And while we’re here, notice to work done to resurface our tennis courts. Four courts are already back in service, and the other two should be completed within a week.”

Following the rededication festivities, Beth Yates Park hosted a Storytime With Friends event, featuring Batman.

Oak Grov Council is seeking bids for a street paving project

Oak Grove – Mayor Tony White updated the Council on bids for the next street paving plans this week. The town is accepting bids on the project with an pre-bid estimated cost of $314,883.

Grants totalling $250,000 have been secured, leaving the town with an $8,425 match, as well as various other relate costs of $48,033. Sealed bids will be opened at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 3rd and presented for council approval during their Tuesday, August 11th regular meeting.

In New Business, the Council approved Jonathan Reed Packer, Hannah Joy Smith, and Kevin Curtis Vines as new members of the Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department. Chief Luke Lunsford detailed the process for training department members, regardless of their previous firefighting or EMT experience.

The Council discussed Resolution 657 which detailed proposals for an 8-yard garbage container service on a three-year contract. The Council approved the bid from Republic Services in the amount of $186.59 per month. The Council took no action on Resolution 658 concerning roll-off container rental and hauling service, opting instead for a temporary proposal from Peoples Sanitation for hauling items collected by the Street Department. The Council will study several internal options available at a later time once expense details are determined.

The Council approved the Public Works Director expenses to attend the 2026 Alabama Public Works Association summer meeting.

Another set of Town employee job descriptions were approved by the Council, this time for Town Clerk, Assistant Town Clerk, and full-time Receptionist – Clerk Assistant positions.

The Council voted to make a change in internet service provider for Town Hall internet service from Charter Communications to fiber optic broadband service from the Sylacauga Utilities Board.

The June 2026 Volunteer Fire Department report showed 43 medical calls (59%), two structure fires, two brush/woods fires, three other fires, nine motor vehicle accidents, six fire alarms, and eight other calls for service. Mutual aid was given to other departments eight times, and received from other departments on three occasions. 17 of the total service calls were inside the Oak Grove Town limits (23%), with 56 calls outside the town limits (77%).

Vendor registration is now open for the August 29th “Childersburg Trade Days”

Childersburg – The Childerburg Area Chamber has officially opened vendor registration for their upcoming Childersburg Trade Days, on Saturday, August 29th at John Cox Stadium, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

If you’re a local business, a pop-up vendor, crafter, maker, food vendor, direct sales representative, or have unique products you’d like to showcase, they’d love to have you join the event by calling the Childersburg Area Chamber at (256) 278-3507, or send an email to: mmcminn@cburgac.com

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with the community, showcase your products, and be part of a great day in Childersburg!