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Community News GCV News

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.

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Community Event Community Feature Community News GCV News

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!

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Community Event Community Feature Community News GCV News

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.

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GCV News

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.

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Community Event Community Feature Community News GCV News

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.

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City Council meeting Community News GCV News Oak Grove Town Council

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.

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City Council meeting Oak Grove Town Council

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.

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Community Feature Community News GCV News

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.

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City Council meeting Sylacauga City Council

Sylacauga City Council meeting from July 1st, 2025

Watch the video of the Sylacauga City Council meeting from July 1st, 2025, courtesy of the “Things Going on in Sylacauga” Facebook group:

Categories
Childersburg City Council meetings City Council meeting

Gerald Wallace has been certified as the new Ward C Councilman in Childersburg for the coming term of office

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

With only one candidate for the Ward C seat on the Childersburg Council, Resolution 2025-12 issued a Certificate of Election for Gerald Wallace during the Tuesday, July 1, 2025 regular meeting.

Resolution 2025-13 also gained approval, authorizing Ken Wesson in his capacity as Mayor to enter into an agreement with Advanced Integrated Security for the purpose of monitoring the fire system at the new Police-Judicial Building at 34011 US Highway 280.

Passage of Resolution 2025014 allows the City of Childersburg to proceed with the abatement process for three vacant lots on Parkdale Lane in Minor Terrace.

In other new business, the Council approved a request to transfer Terrie Sprayberry to the Police Department as a full-time permanent Records Clerk at a pay rate of $14 per hour.

Approval was given for Johnny Swain to perform curb and concrete work at the Police-Judicial Building in the amount of $7,150.

Payment of invoices in the amount of $72,018.22 was approved.

The Council adjusted the pay rate of transportation drivers to $12 per hour, effective with the next pay period.

The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Mayor Wesson said that the hope is that the Council will be able to hold that meeting in the Municipal Courtroom of the Police-Judicial Building on Highway 280.

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