The Cleburne News - 12/12/13

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Thursday, December 12, 2013

Heflin Council

Christmas parade rescheduled LAURA CAMPER

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Laura Camper

Forte employees parked a semitrailer truck in front of the old post office on Ross Street in Heflin to accept donations.

Still collecting toys LAURA CAMPER

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When Rex Nolen was a Cleburne County Commissioner, he saw a different side of Cleburne County.

“When you go door-to-door, you see a lot of needs,” Nolen said.

So four years ago, when he was in Atlanta and met a staff member of Toys for Tots, sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps, he requested some toys for Cleburne County children. Four days before Christmas, the organization sent him toys for 880 children. He contacted local churches and the fire departments, and they distributed the toys from the back of a pickup truck, he said.

The next year, he partnered with Forte Power Systems, Cleburne County Schools and the group Helping Every Area Resident Succeed, or HEART, to do an official Toys for Tots collection and distribution, Nolen said.

The collection has grown over the years and last year, local donations contributed 42 percent of the Cleburne County gifts, he said.

This year there were collection boxes at the Cleburne County Courthouse, Small Town Bank, WM Grocery, Piggly Wiggly, Fred’s, Buster Miles Ford and Chevy stores and Dollar General stores in Hollis and Heflin, Nolen said. Last Thursday and Friday, Forte employees parked a semitrailer truck in front of the old post office on Ross Street in Heflin to accept donations, said Kristi Smith, human resources manager at Forte.

Cheryl McBrayer, a Forte employee, was manning the donation station at the truck Thursday afternoon. Standing under a tent as the afternoon rain pelted the street, she said she had collected about 48 toys in her three hours at the truck.

“It’s been in spurts,” McBrayer said.

“We had one gentleman come by and gave a very generous donation … maybe eight or 10 toys.”

Smith said Toys for Tots Foundation provided 585 children in Cleburne County with Christmas gifts last year. All the applications aren’t in yet, so she was unsure how many requests there were this year, she said. This year’s goal was to collect 500 toys, Smith added. During

the two day drive downtown, Smith said Forte employees received 175 toys.

The toys collected in Cleburne County go to Cleburne County children, she added. The county especially has a need for toys for children between the ages of 10 and 14, Smith said.

“Most of the time, older children are the ones who are overlooked,” she said.

One hundred and forty families applied to receive toys through the Toys for Tots program at the schools. Nolen also took about 20 applications himself, he said. There will still be names coming from HEARTS and from the Department of Human Resources, Nolen said.

The collection boxes at WM Grocery, Piggly Wiggly, the Dollar General stores in Heflin and Hollis, the Heflin Recreation Center and the Calhoun County Courthouse will remain through the weekend, Nolen said.

This year families will pick up their toys next Thursday and Friday at the Cleburne County Water Authority, Nolen said.

Staff writer Laura Camper 256-4632872. On Twitter @LCamper_Star.

Christmas Festival preview LAURA CAMPER

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Friday at noon, the city will kick off a newly expanded Christmas festival at the Heflin Civic Center.

The city will sponsor its third Festival of Trees this year, said City Clerk Shane Smith. It will be adding a Christmas Marketplace with a bake sale to benefit Relay for Life, as well as crafters and area businesses selling their goods. Some of the crafts will include leather goods, jewelry, wreaths, crocheted goods, children’s clothing and ceramics, he said.

The festival, which has been the same day as the city’s Christmas parade, will be expanding to three days. It will open Friday from noon until 7 p.m. It will con-

tinue on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. The city’s Christmas parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Monday.

“It’s been growing every year,” Smith said of the Festival of Trees. “We wanted to give people more to do.”

This year individuals and groups like the Boy Scouts, the Heflin Fire Department, churches and civic groups will again decorate trees. During the three day festival, visitors will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite. The city is also adding different categories of trees this year including individual, business and nonprofit, and the winner in each category will win a prize, said Tammy Perry, director of Heflin’s Recreation Department. The winning trees will be announced on Sunday, Perry said.

For news stories call Laura at 256.463.2872

Last year, the city had 25 trees in the festival. Perry said she thinks there will be about the same number this year.

The parade is also changing this year, Smith said.

The city’s Christmas parade floats and vehicles will line up at Brockford Road and Ross Street by 5:30 p.m., Smith said.

Children who are participating in the parade should be dropped off at the American Legion Hall on Almon Street, he said.

The city will be setting up bleachers in front of BB & T Bank on Ross Street for people to watch the parade, Smith said.

There will be no parking on Ross Street between Burns and Bedwell streets beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Smith added.

Staff writer Laura Camper 256-2353545. On Twitter @LCamper_Star.

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Holiday deadline The Cleburne News deadline for Christmas will be Monday December 23 at 10 a.m. New Years deadline will be December 30 at 10 a.m. for news, announcements and advertising. For more information call 256.463.2872. Classified adverting will be December 18 at noon.

INDEX: Opinion/Editorial . . . . . . 3 Church Sponsor . . . . . . . 5 Sports . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 4

+ Matthew 22:37 Don’t wait till there is a problem

With predictions of rain for Saturday, the Heflin City Council on Tuesday changed the date of its annual Christmas parade to Monday, Dec. 16.

“All indications now it’s going to be kind of messy Saturday,” Mayor Rudy Rooks told the council members.

There’s an 80 percent chance of rain, Shane Smith, Heflin city clerk said.

The only open dates are Monday, Dec. 16 or Saturday, Dec. 21, Rooks told the council members.

Monday, the middle school has basketball games scheduled beginning at 4:30 p.m., said Patrick Casey, city attorney.

But Councilman Travis Crowe noted that the weather was predicted to be sunny on Monday.

“We don’t know what it’s going to do Saturday,” Crowe said.

The council decided to reschedule the parade to Monday at 6:30 p.m. The floats will need to start lining up by 5:30 p.m. at Brockford Road and Ross Street. Children participating in the parade should be dropped off at the American Legion Hall, Smith said.

The Christmas Marketplace and Festival of Trees in the Heflin Civic Center will begin on Friday at noon as scheduled.

In other business the council: -Discussed annexing five properties into the city. The properties on Tompkins Street off of Almon Street are located behind Buster Miles Ford, Smith said. Three of the properties are owned by Buster Miles, the others, 284 abd 350 Tompkins Street are homes. The owners of all the properties are in favor of the annexation, Rooks said.

The council will vote on the annexation at the next meeting.

-Expressed frustration that the Alabama Department of Transportation had not yet approved a new road off Almon Street to accommodate a new Subway restaurant.

“There’s so many people that’s got to tip their hat to it,” Rooks said. “It’s slowing progress down.”

The plans first have to be approved by engineers and then the administration at ALDOT, Rooks said.

-The next council meeting will be Dec. 17. A work session will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting to follow.

Staff writer Laura Camper 256-4632872. On Twitter @LCamper_Star.

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2 • The Cleburne News, Thursday, December 12, 2013

Council awards medals of valor for their actions in 2012 shootout

Heflin Highlights by: Suzanne Payne

To Start With

It is easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.

(Mark Twain.) Don’t you love this?

Remember These Dates

Laura Camper

Heflin Police Sgt. Josh Barnett and Sgt. Kevin Turley gave the men their Medals of Valor and additionally a Purple Heart medal for Stovall.

LAURA CAMPER

news@cleburnenews.com

Before the Heflin City Council sat down to their meeting Tuesday, the members awarded two Heflin police officers and a Cleburne County deputy Medals of Valor for their actions during a shootout last year.

On Dec. 15, 2012, Cleburne County Deputy Jamie Cofield and Heflin officers Scott Winslett and Jackie Stovall responded to a call from a woman saying her husband was acting violently. On their way to the home, they found the woman, who had fled from her husband, and stopped to speak to her in a parking lot on Alabama 9. Her husband, Romero Roberto Moya, drove up and opened fire at the officers in what was the first of three shootouts with the suspect.

Moya was killed by police, but not before he shot Stovall, seriously wounding the officer.

“A lot of time we will flippantly use the term, you put your life on the line every day,” Mayor Rudy Rooks said at the ceremony. “Sometimes it’s just words….but that day, Dec. 15, 2012, these guys put their lives on the line and tragedy struck.”

Lives were saved that day because of the actions of the three law enforcement

members and countless others who answered the call, Rooks said.

Heflin Police Sgt. Josh Barnett and Sgt. Kevin Turley gave the men their Medals of Valor and additionally a Purple Heart medal for Stovall because of his injury.

Stovall accepted the awards and spoke to the audience. He told them about the moment he was shot. He knew it was bad, Stovall said. He called out to the other officers to let them know he was injured and then he prayed, Stovall said.

“I told God, ‘Don’t let it end this way; not today,’” Stovall said, his voice cracking with emotion. “I got kids; I got my first grandson — he’s right over there — and this can’t happen. Give me a second shot.”

Stovall got that second shot thanks to another officer who applied pressure to his wound to slow the bleeding, and it’s something he is very grateful for, he said.

“For every prayer, for every person that has helped in every way, thank you so very much,” Stovall said.

After the ceremony, Cofield said he was honored by the award, but he said it’s part of the job.

“It was just a normal day of duty, and it just happened to be my call that morning,” Cofield said.

Staff writer Laura Camper 256-4632872. On Twitter @LCamper_Star.

Don’t miss this weekend of excitement right here in our town. December 13th -15th are the dates for the city of Heflin and Chamber of Commerce’s Festival of Trees and the Christmas Marketplace at the Heflin Civic Center.

Come view the expertly decorated trees and do a little Christmas shopping at the same time.

Everyone needs to be on hand for the ever popular Christmas Parade of Lights at 6:00 on December 14. Check the city’s Facebook page on Thursday evening in the event of a rain rescheduling.

You still have time to see the Best Christmas Pageant Ever at the McClellan Theatre. For detailed information, call 820-CAST. This Sunday, December 15 at 5:00, the music department at the Heflin First United Methodist Church will present Splendour…an amazing Christmas Cantata. Everyone is welcomed to come enjoy this gift in music. The performance will be in the Wesley Center.

Happy Birthday

Dec. 12-Nell Thrash, Judy Easterwood, Loni Austin, Sandy Sanders, Charlotte Brown and Rebecca Yancy.

Dec.13-Blake Pointer, Adam Crowson, Rodney Kaylor, Jake Bell, (twins) Berkley and Phisher Perkins. Dec.14-Nikki Robinson, Ruby Kent, Tammy Watson, Jamie Taylor and Jennifer Moore.

Dec.15-Ann Vise, Stewart Moore, Jacob Elkins, PamPayne, Dot Turner, Tonia Spears and Murphy Charles.

Dec.16-Denise McDaniel, Buck Hunt, Kayd Hightower and Mathew Bryant.

Dec.17-Becky Hayes, Mathew Turner, Kennith Bishop and Becky Merrill.

Dec.18-Madelynn Sheppard, Jonah Burson, Travis Letson,Sharon Cox and Madison Auburn Parris.

Happy Anniversary

December 12-Mr. and Mrs. Mark Vise. December 14-Joe and Jane Harlan…Mr. and Mrs. Louie Carlton. December 15-Lee and April Benefield…

Dan and Shelby Davis…Buddy and Janice Owen…Mr. and Mrs.Donald Jacobs.

December 16-Richard and Barbara Parris…Robin and Pam Morris…Dana and Sandra Smith. December 17-Ted and Cindy Beam. December 18-Robert and Judy Chambless…Charles and Joyce Dollahite. \

Sunshine List

Michele Wexlar (facing surgery for brain cancer),John Casey, Jimmy Pentecost, Horace Perry, Kenneth Lee, Ken Sanders, Rider Bearden, Jackie Stovall, Kaitlyn Waters, Jeannie Rigsby, Neal Mulkey, Merrill Hayes, Sherry Brown, Terry Benefield, Robert Martin, Kerry Smith, Andrea Smith, Jimmie Nell Vise, Cora Burk, Junior Jenkins, Sara Noland and David and Jennifer Kelly.

Let me share your holiday happenings! Contact me at rkpsop816@yahoo. com or send to PO Box 924.

Diabetes Education January 14 Diabetes Education will be held January 14 at Heflin Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m. The topic will be what is diabetes? with Gary Wright, RPh, CDE. January 28 Diabetes Education will be held January 28 at

Heflin Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m. The topic will be Problem solving with Gary Wright, RPh, CDE. February 4 Diabetes Education will be held February 4 at Heflin Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m. The topic will be putting the pieces back

together with Christopher Randolph, MD

February 25 Diabetes Education will be held February 25 at Heflin Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m. The topic will be Living with diabetes with Louis Divalentin, MD

Heavy rains create problems for Cleburne County’s many dirt roads LAURA CAMPER

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After the weekend’s rain, water was flowing across County Road 4 when Brent Laminack was leaving for work Monday morning.

“It happens maybe once or twice a year when we have a lot of rain,” Laminack said. “When I was a kid those bottoms stayed flooded all the time.”

The weekend’s heavy rainfall, after a year of wetter-than-normal weather, has led to difficult travel on some of Cleburne County’s hundreds of miles of dirt roads, officials said.

Storms this weekend dumped 4 to 6 inches of rain on northern Cleburne County, according to Roger McNeil, service hydrologist for the National Weather Service office in Calera. In other parts of the county, McNeil said, the totals were more like a half inch to an inch.

McNeil said he expected another half inch in Cleburne County by Tuesday morning and then two to

three days of cooler, drier weather which will allow the rain to be absorbed into the soil.

That rain fell toward the end of a year that has seen far more precipitation than normal. As of 6 a.m. Monday, the Anniston Regional Airport had received more than 69 inches of rain this year; the normal amount is about 47 inches. The Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport had received just less than 64 inches of rain so far this year, more than the norm of 51 inches, McNeil said.

The rain hasn’t caused much flooding, said Shannon Robbins, Cleburne County engineer. But the rain and the cold weather have wreaked havoc on dirt roads, he said. The county has received five requests for gravel to spread on muddy roads and three or four requests to clear debris from drainage culverts along roads, Robbins said.

It also received three calls from residents concerned about high water on bridges, he added.

According to maps from

Thank You

Our family would like to express our sincere gratitude for all of your love and care during this difficult time. Your thoughts and prayers sustained us and the food nourished our bodies. The flowers and gifts were a beautiful tribute to our wonderful husband and father. A special thank you to Amedisys Home Health Care for your invaluable assistance and to Pilgrim’s Rest Baptist Church for the delicious meal. Please continue to lift up our family in your prayers.

The Neal Thompson Family

the Alabama Department of Transportation, Cleburne County has 326 miles of dirt roads, Robbins said. Those roads turn muddy when there’s a lot of rain. Gravel can help, or it might not, Robbins said.

“It gets mashed in and a lot of times it gets washed away,” Robbins said. “Often it does help, but in some cases it’s just fighting a losing battle.”

Even if the county had all the gravel it wanted to put on roads — which at $500 to $600 per load it doesn’t — rainy weather followed by freezing temperatures would still cause problems on dirt roads, he said.

“It’s frustrating getting into a cycle like this,” Robbins said.

County Administrator Steve Swafford said paving the roads could be an option but would take a lot of money. The county hasn’t been able to spend that kind of money during his tenure, he said. Swafford said he remembers just two or three gravel roads being paved in the

past two decades. Over the same time, he said, a couple of paved roads have been reverted to gravel.

Paving a road isn’t just a matter of laying some asphalt on top of the dirt, Swafford said. Asphalt must have an adequate foundation or it will disintegrate into gravel over a few years. Roads only covered with asphalt won’t last, he said.

The cost of building new roads is prohibitive, Robbins said. Asphalt for a mile of road can cost between $80,000 and $100,000. If the county were paving over a dirt road, it would also have to move any utilities, extend pipes at driveways and intersections, grade, drain and create the road bed. That could cost another $200,000 per mile, Robbins said. In addition, the county doesn’t own the dirt roads, so any rightof-way issues would have to be resolved, Robbins said. On the other hand, the county spends about $45,000 to $75,000 a year on gravel, he said.

Swafford said the issue

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Bolstered by heavy rain, water pours over Howle and Turner Dam on County Road 36. is money.

“It’s just a question of resources,” Swafford said.

Laminack is lucky. He has another way to get out of his neighborhood. He can take a dirt road which runs behind his house, Laminack said. It’s generally passable when County Road 4 is not, he said.

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THE CLEBURNE NEWS, Thursday, December 12, 2013 • 3

OPINION/EDITORIAL There has been plenty of political exits this year

The year 2013 could be called the year of the quitter in Alabama politics. We have seen Steve some high profile and Flowers significant political resignations during the year.

The parade of departures began with 1st District Congressman Jo Bonner.

Inside The Statehouse He served 10 years as the coastal Mobile/ Baldwin Counties’ representative in Washington. He left Congress and doubled his congressional pay to take a position with the University of Alabama system.

Next comes Secretary of State Beth Chapman. She resigned her post with 17 months remaining on her term. Her reason for leaving was to make more money being a political consultant to the Alabama Farmers Federation.

During the summer, two of the most powerful men in the Alabama House of Representatives left with a year remaining in their prestigious positions. Rep. Jay Love of Montgomery was Chairman of the House Ways and Means Education Budget Committee. His counterpart, Rep. Jim Barton of Mobile, chaired the House General Fund Budget Committee. In the State House of Representatives there are 105 members. However, only about five are major players by virtue of their positions.

As budget chairmen, Love and Barton were among the five. I guess handling the State’s budgets was too stressful for them.

Bonner, Chapman and Barton left early to feather their own nests as lobbyists or consultants. Love always let it be known that he was more interested in being a businessman than a politician. These rash resignations in the midst of their reign are hard to contemplate. It seems like they could have waited another year and served out their terms and simply not run for reelection in 2014.

Sarah Palin is the classic case of the quitter. The good people of Alaska elected her their governor.

John McCain’s think tank and polling data revealed that the best choice for a running mate in the 2008 election would be a female governor from the west.

The computer spit out the name of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. McCain rolled the dice and picked her.

Some believe his gamble hurt him. Most times the choice of vice president has no affect on the presidential race. However, exit polling revealed that Palin for the first time in history was a detriment to the GOP ticket that year. Nevertheless, she rose to prominence by McCain plucking her out of obscurity. She then chose to abandon Alaska and pursue fame and fortune as a commentator on Fox News and on the speaking circuit.

As she so adroitly alluded to in her vice presidential race, you can see Russia from Alaska. She was right.

Alaska is a long way from mainland USA and an especially long trip to New York the nation’s media center.

My observation is that voters tend to resent quitting the job you were elected to, especially when you leave to make money. However, the other obvious observation is that these folks have no intention of ever reentering the arena, otherwise they would not have left abruptly.

It is doubtful that you will ever see the names of Jay Love, Jim Barton, Jo Bonner or Beth Chapman on your ballot again.

You may see Sarah Palin, although her day in the sun has probably set and her efforts would be to no avail.

The departure of Jay Love as the House Budget Chairman paved the way for Tuscaloosa to further enhance their power in Alabama politics. Speaker Mike Hubbard chose freshman Tuscaloosa Representative Bill Poole to chair the House Education Budget Committee.

This gives the Druid City the Governor, the Chairman of the House Education Budget Committee, as well as the most powerful member of our congressional delegation, Congressman Aderholt, who sits on Appropriations. Not to mention Alabama’s most prominent and powerful political figure, our senior U.S. Senator Richard Shelby.

Speaking of Tuscaloosa, the Mercedes plant located in Tuscaloosa County stands out as the most important economic development coup for Alabama in the last three decades. Mercedes continues to expand exponentially. Its expansion buoys the state’s positive economic forecast.

The Mercedes plant was the crucible and impetus for the other two major auto manufacturing plants locating in the state. Mercedes along with the Honda plant in Talladega County and Hyundai in Montgomery have propelled Alabama into the number two state in the nation for automotive production.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His column appears weekly in more than 70 Alabama newspapers. Steve served 16 years in the state legislature. He may be reached at www.steveflowers.us

Adullam House is a worthy cause

Recently, I learned about a worthy cause that makes a perfect holiday opportunity for anyone wanting to donate money or time – the Adullam House near Wetumpka.

The Adullam House, named after the cave where King David of the Old Testament once took refuge, cares for and educates children of incarcerated parents who are, as the website states, “the unseen victims of crime.”

The Adullam House is located on 18 acres of forested land outside of Wetumpka, but the children who live there are from throughout the state. Many of them have mothers who are in the Julia Tutwiler Prison.

The kind-hearted employees at Trinity Christian Academy (TCA), where I work in Oxford, opted to donate money to Abdullam House rather than to spend money on gifts for a dirty Santa game. TCA’s principal Jeff Smith learned that the children living at the house wanted to take a trip to Gatlinburg, Tenn., rather than receive Christmas presents. An anonymous donor paid for half of the transportation costs, and the donations from TCA teachers will go toward paying the other half. Of course, trip organizers will need to cover other expenses, such as hotel stays and food.

Smith learned about Adullam House when its basket-

ball team signed up to play on TCA team’s basketball schedule.

Recently, he organized a special night Sherry to honor the visiting Kughn team. He knew the bleachers would be mostly empty since the Adullam House players had few fans.

Sherry-Go-Round He not only encouraged some of the TCA fans to sit and root for the visitors; but he also encouraged TCA students to make posters to welcome the visitors.

The Adullam House, which is directed by Pete and Angela Spackman, has many needs because it receives no government money to rear the children. Except for a core staff of employees, the workers and caregivers are volunteers. Someone donated the land for the house in 1995, and contributions from churches and individuals feed, educate, clothe, and house the children.

As all of us parents and grandparents know, children

have many needs beyond those four basics. I was delighted to donate toward the Gatlinburg trip, which will broaden these children’s life experiences.

It is amazing to me that Adullam House supports children with only private donations and volunteers.

“Our volunteers come from all over the world,” said Philip Powell, who handles public relations for Adullam House. “We’ve had caregivers as far away as Australia, Europe, and Ireland. They come as missionaries and work in service to the Lord.”

Also, Powell explained that Adullam House has a program for enlisting community volunteers who come to do specific jobs during the week, such as feed the babies.

Local residents who are interested in donating to the Adullam House may do so by sending checks to P.O. Box 1248, Wetumpka, AL 36092 or go online to donate at www.adullamhouse.org.

After the holidays, some local church groups might want to visit Adullam House to work on construction, to volunteer at their thrift store, or to spend time with the residents. The spirit of the holiday can last not only throughout the year but also throughout a child’s lifetime.

Email Sherry at sherrykug@hotmail.com

Obama’s plan will destroy insurance companies After winning the presidency, Barack Obama pushed healthcare reform he knew would pass because of overwhelming Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress, an energized base, and a fawning media.

In the spring of 2009 the fight for healthcare reform entered its biggest battle, but not between Republicans and Democrats…between liberal Democrats and even more liberal progressive Democrats. Republicans were reduced to little more than spectators.

Progressives’ political goals are government control of everything, and healthcare is a crown jewel in the American economy accounting for about 17 percent of all spending. How does one control healthcare?

Control the money. One member of the Progressive Caucus, Jan Shakowsky (D-IL.), reportedly told supporters in April of 2009 the goal of healthcare reform was to destroy the private health insurance industry.

Thus, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was designed to destroy health insurance companies and replace them with government-provided healthcare.

To sell ACA to the American people, progressives propagated numerous lies, including: 1. “If you like your doctor, you can keep your doc-

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tor…PERIOD.” 2. “If you like your healthcare plan, you can keep it…

Daniel PERIOD.” 3. “Your annual cost Gardner of health insurance will go down an average of $2,500.”

The progressive My Thoughts mainstream media (MSM) reiterated these lies like the faithful progressives they are, failing to investigate whether these claims were true.

Even when Republicans challenged these lies, the MSM refused to report the challenges. For example, in September of 2010, Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY) introduced a resolution repealing Obama’s regulations that virtually disqualified the vast majority of health insurance policies on the market guaranteeing millions would have their healthcare plans cancelled. Knowing millions of Americans would lose their healthcare plans, Democrats voted unanimously to defeat this resolution.

The progressive MSM did not cover this story, but continued to parrot the lie that Americans could keep their healthcare plans…PERIOD. More recently, the Justice Department has filed a court briefing saying the majority of group healthcare policies will probably be cancelled because they are not up to the new ACA standards. That means in 2014, 75 to 125 million Americans could lose their plans and be forced to purchase more expensive plans with coverage they don’t

want or need.

In many states the lowest cost plans available under ACA have deductibles or out-of-pocket expenses of $5,000 per person per calendar year. This means, if you purchase one of these plans, you’ll have to pay for the first $5,000 of healthcare before your insurance begins paying. And, you’re still paying hundreds of dollars each month for health insurance. How many people can afford that?

The progressives’ goal was never providing healthcare for the 30 or so million who didn’t have health insurance; the goal was gaining universal control of healthcare of all Americans.

The biggest lie progressives in Washington and the MSM continue to tell: Republicans have offered no alternatives.

Actually, while ACA was being designed in three House committees, Republicans offered more than 100 amendments in each committee, all of which were defeated by party-line votes. Those amendments included reducing mandates on benefits that guaranteed Americans would lose their current policies.

More than 5 million Americans have had their healthcare plans cancelled due to progressives’ plan to destroy the private health insurance industry. Tens of millions more Americans will lose their coverage and have to pay for higher cost plans in 2014.

Daniel L. Gardner is a syndicated columnist who lives in Starkville, MS. You may contact him at Daniel@DanLGardner.com, or visit his website at http://www.danlgardner.com Feel free to interact with him on the Clarion-Ledger feature blog site blogs. clarionledger.com/dgardner/

What’s your opinion?

The editorial page provides a forum in which readers may present their views. Send your comments to: Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 67, Heflin, AL 36264 or email news@cleburnenews.com. Deadline for consideration is Monday at 5 p.m. for the following Thursday’s edition.

All letters submitted must include a signature, address and daytime phone in case verification is needed. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. Letters from groups should either be legibly signed by all members or by one or more names as representatives of the group. No anonymous letters will be published. The Cleburne News reserves the right to select which letters will be published and to edit all letters for grammar, punctuation, clarity, length and content. Letters are published as space permits. Writers are asked to submit no more than two letters per month. Political letters will not be published in the edition immediately prior to an election.

Subscribe to the Cleburne News Call Misty at 256-463-2872

4 • The Cleburne News, Thursday, December 12, 2013

Tigers are at home tonight against the Vols RIP DONOVAN

News Sports Correspondent

Playing at home Tuesday night, the Cleburne County boys ended a brief two-game losing streak with an emphatic 64-44 victory over visiting Harlason County (Ga.). The final was 64-44 and the Tigers were never seriously threatened. Cleburne County led 32-17 at halftime. Senior Max Prichard scored eight of his team-best 22 points in the first two quarters. Classmate Christian Henson had seven of his nine points by intermission.

Tyler Berry finished with seven points for the winners. Cameron Kerr and Matthew Morrow each scored six points. Jeremiah McLeroy and Geoffrey Teague had four points apiece. Isaiah Ware and Brandon Horn each netted three points.

Monday night found Cleburne County on the road at Weaver. The Tigers fell behind early and were never able to catch up, eventually

falling 67-55. Prichard was the only Cleburne County player in double figures with 22 points. He hit a pair of 3-point shots. Henson scored six points. Ware, McLeroy and Kerr each scored five points. Teague had four points and Horn three points.

Berry and Griffin Turner tallied two points each and Morrow added a free throw.

In Heflin on Friday of last week, Alexandria defeated Cleburne County 80-45. Prichard scored 14 points.

Henson finished with seven points and Horn scored five. Kerr and Berry each had four points.

Blake Pointer, McLeroy and Morrow scored three points apiece and Turner had two points. McLeroy, Morrow and Prichard each had one 3-point basket.

The Tigers (3-4) entertain Clay Central tonight. White Plains comes to Heflin Saturday for an afternoon game. Cleburne County begins area play on Tuesday of next week with a home game against Lincoln.

Jonathan Fordham

Christian Henson going up for the shot against Alexandria.

Lady Bulldogs increases winning streak RIP DONOVAN

News Sports Correspondent

Ranburne upped its current winning streak to three games Tuesday. The Wellborn Panthers, an area opponent, were the latest victims for the Ranburne girls. Playing at home, the Bulldogs won 67-32.

Ranburne coach Tim Smith called the most recent victory “a good team effort” and particularly praised his players for “passing for better shots, especially on the break.”

The Bulldogs led 44-17 at halftime, outscoring Wellborn 21-9 in the first quarter and 23-8 in the second. Three Ranburne players scored in double figures. Jessie Ralston led the way with 17 points. She also had five steals and two assists. Lacey Smith had 13 points and added four assists, three rebounds and two steals. Indiana Morgan recorded 10 points, three rebounds and three assists. She was 4-for-5 at the free throw line.

Best on the boards for Ranburne was Hannah Phillips with 10 rebounds.

Hali Wilson had nine points, five rebounds, four steals and three assists. Kat Runels and Alyssa Smith each scored five points. Runels had four rebounds and Smith two. Phillips and Emily Hall scored four points apiece.

The coach said turning steals into points had been one of Ranburne’s early-season issues prior to the win over the Panthers.

“We‘ve got to do a better job finishing around the goal and we did that last night,” Smith said Wednesday afternoon.

At New Site on Monday, Ranburne defeated Horseshoe Bend 36-24. The Bulldogs led at the end of every quarter but offense was at a premium for both teams, particularly in the first half. Ranburne was ahead just 6-5 after the first quarter and 13-9 at halftime. The Bulldogs more than doubled their first half scoring in the third quarter with a 14-8 spread. Ralston scored 10 of her team’s 14 third-quarter points and Alyssa Smith netted the remain-

ing four points.

Smith and Ralston each ended with 12 points for the game. Smith had four rebounds and Ralston three steals.

Phillips had six points, Wilson five and Morgan one. Morgan, who missed most of the second half with an injury, also had three rebounds and Wilson had two rebounds.

Lacey Smith made five steals. Runels had three steals and three rebounds.

In assessing the win over the Generals, Smith said he felt that while the Bulldogs struggled from the field their defense was solid. He noted that his players had met one of their goals for every game – limiting their opponent to single-digit points in each quarter.

Ranburne returns to action Friday at Woodland, another area opponent. A busy week follows. The Bulldogs play another area game at Pleasant Valley Tuesday, are at White Plains Thursday then have home game against Wadley on December 20 and Cleburne County on December 21.

CCHS team places second overall

The Cleburne County High School team placed overall second in the Lincoln Tournament last Saturday. Others placing were: Preston Jarrell..1st place 113 lb weight class.....Noah Beam 4th place 126 lb weight class....Corey Davis...1st place and Best match of the tournament 132 lb weight class....Tyler Mayfield 3rd place 138 lb weight class...Sam Cooper 3rd place 145 lb weight class....Cody Lee 3rd place 170 lb weight class...Alex Sandmann 1st place 220 lb weight class.

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Ad deadline is Monday at 5 p.m., all ads placed in The Cleburne News also goes into the Cleburne Marketplace on Monday for the same price.

Tri-County Plumbing & Pumping Service, LLC Wishes Everyone A Safe And Joyful Holiday Season Tis the season to be jolly, THANKS to all of our loyal customers and to the wonderful new ones, for supporting us through all of the hardships that 2013 has brought us. We will continue to serve the Tri County area. We do find strength in the Lord.

Sincere Thanks, Tim Gossage and Judy Pesnell Gossage Tri-County Plumbing 334.863.6648 256.363.2185

The Cleburne News, Thursday, December 12, 2013 • 5

Cleburne

Churches

East Heflin by: Bruce Wright

New Hope Ministries by: Veneta McKinney

This Saturday Faith Friends meets at home of Sandra Roberts at 10am. Brotherhood will meet Sunday morning at 745am for a huge breakfast for 1 hour. Anyone is welcome at either – all ages! Our Christmas music will be at 11am and everyone is invited back at 5pm for Charlie Brown Christmas Play presented by our youth. A finger food/dessert social will follow at 6pm. Reminderwe have the Lord’s Supper home packets available in the lobby for your use on Christmas day. Come join us at this wonderful time of the year!

Bro. George opened to Math. 2:1-8, “The Grinch Who Tried to Steal Christmas”. As we begin, we see Herod learning of Jesus’ birth. This man was a bitter ruler who eliminated anyone in who posed a threat to his reign, including hid family, his wife, and his own son. He hated people and goodness. He was troubled by his possessions and used his power and resources to fuel his paranoia. He feared the loss of power and when he heard of the birth, he called in wise men to find the child but not worship but to eliminate. He thought he could foil God’s plan.

Why is it that we think we can foil God’s plans? Satan been trying it daily, we try it. We have to give it all to God and have faith. Don’t be a ‘getter’ but a ‘giver’.

We are to give our hearts to Jesus and our homes to him. We must live for him, not for ourselves. This is great time for year. Don’t let our ways spoil God’s desire.

Greetings from New Hope Ministries. May the Lord of Peace comfort you and give you joy today.

On Saturday Dec. 14 we will be taking a group to see Christmas in the Gardens tour of lights at Anniston museum. We will meet at the church at 5:00pm.

On Sunday December 15th at 3:30 after play practice, we will meet at Kim Pierson’s house and have a “cookie” swap. Everyone bring your favorite cookie, candy, dessert, etc. You will need to make plenty and divide it up in bags/containers to give out to all the ladies. Please contact Kim Pierson with what you are bringing.

We will have the Christmas program Sunday night, Dec 22nd at 5 pm. Please be sure to attend.

The TV program “New Hope Arising” can be found on TV 24. The times for viewing is Monday evenings at 5:30 pm, Wednesday morning at 9 am, and Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. Led by Pastor Vickey Davis and Michelle Connell, each program is designed to give new hope to people that need a special touch from the Lord.

This past Sunday Pastor Vickey Davis preached on “A Miracle on Your Street – Only Believe”. We often find ourselves in situations where there is no way out except for Him. In those time, we have to reach out to him and believe He will show us the way. He wants us to trust Him. Don’t be afraid – only trust. “Let not your heart be troubled.” “Do not fear”

Happy Hill by: Debra Jackson Hello from Happy Hill. Hope this finds everyone doing good.

It’s beginning to look and sound a lot like Christmas at Happy Hill. The choir sang several Christmas carols.

Special drama by the youth.

Join us Sunday night December 15th at 5:00 for our Christmas Cantata.

Those on the prayer list are Irmalene and Robert Norton, Betty Hayes, Jean Braden, Alma Jacks, Rider Bearden, Donnie Eason, Brian Blazer, Evelyn Martin, Martha Ledford, Kerry Smith, Ken Sanders, Earnest Bowen and Carol Doyle.

Until next time, God BLess!

SENTENCE SERMON Christ traded the comfort of the Manger for the cruelty of the Cross.

THE LIGHTER SIDE A guy walking in the desert desperately needed a drink.

As he followed the dunes, he came upon another man riding a camel. He asked the man if he had something to drink.

The man on the camel said “No, but if you like, I have a nice selection of ties. Would you like to buy one?”

“No!” The first man replied. “Are you crazy? I need something to drink, not a tie!”

So the man on the camel rode on, and the walking man continued his slow and very thirsty trek for several days.

Finally he came upon a cantina.

He gratefully approached the doorman at the cantina and said, “I’m so glad I made it! Can I get in and get some water?”

The doorman frowned at him. “Not without a tie.”

Heflin First United Methodist by: Lexi Bennett

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! We have several special events to share! Our Preschool children will be singing Christmas Carols this Thursday, December 12th at 10:00 AM in front of the Cleburne County Courthouse.

We invite you join us and hear the sweet sound of carols as we celebrate the miracle of this Christmas season!

Stop by the church this Saturday, December 14th, during the Parade of Lights and enjoy a hot cup of cocoa!

Please make plans to join us on Sunday, December 15 at 5:05pm in the Wesley Center as the Heflin First United Methodist Church Ministry of Music presents “Splendour.” It is going to be amazing! And we’ll have hot cocoa and cookies after our service!

On Wednesday, December 18 at 5:30pm our Children’s Ministry presents “Christmas at Bethlehem Gulch” in the Wesley Center. The performance will be followed by a soup supper and a special visit from Santa. Don’t miss out!

And on December 24th at 6:00 PM, join us for our Christmas Eve Candle Light Communion Service.

Call the church office at 256-463-2441 or heflinfirst@ heflinfirstumc.org for additional information. Have a great week!

Mt. Olive Church of God by: Susie Smith

Brother Greg Morgan opened our service today with Philippians 4:6 reminding us to cast all our cares on God. In a world where it seems we’re pressured in everyway this is the only thing we can do.

Our Sunday School lesson was from Luke 1:5-25,5780, “Blessed be the Lord God”. The lesson tells of John’s birth and of him being the forerunner of Jesus. The golden text for the lesson was Psalm 34:1 it tells us to bless the Lord at all times and to let His praise always be in our mouth.

Brother Ronnie asked a question this morning, “What shall we render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward us”? Psalm 116 was the scripture. Each of our hearts are different and special to God! 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, tells us our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost and that we are bought with a price, we’re to glorify God in

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256.463.2872

Local Church & Community Events December 14 Boxes will be set up at: First United Methodist Church, Heflin Baptist Church, Forte Power, New Zion Baptist, New Area Holiness in Micaville, Heflin Library, Ranburne Senior Citizen Center, Fruithurst General Store for drop off of new socks for seniors that will be given out at the local nursing home, Ranburne Senior Center and Fruithurst General Store. The deadline for sock pickup will be December 18-20. For more info call 256.201.1719 or 256.463.5558.

Liberty Hill Congregational Methodist Church’s Choir will perform at the Quintard Mall on December 14th at 4:00pm December 15 Liberty Hill Congregational Methodist Church’s Brotherhood Breakfast will be on Sunday, December 15th at 7:30am.

Pinetucky by: Mary Alvarado

December 22

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethern to dwell together in unity. Psalms 133:1.

It is a blessing to live with friend in harmony.

Lift these in prayer: Dean Albright, Carl Ayers, Mary Beers, Kerry Conkle, Joe Bill Conkle, James Cavender, Rubie Cavender, Wanda Carter, Rita Cofield, Rubie Cavender, Edna Cox, W. E. Gray, Dorothy Junior, Lillian Jonson, Violet Morrow, Gerald Perkins, Geneva Sutton, Andrea Smith, Louise Smith, Wanda Smith, John and Diann Tanner, Phil and Cathy Wortham.

Father, thank you for our family and friends in the church family or in our everyday life. Thank you for your blessings on me that I might be a blessing to others.

Have a wonderful week with many blessings.

Liberty Hill Congregational Methodist Church will have their Christmas Cantata on December 22nd at 11:00am. Also, the youth praise and worship teams will be performing and preaching will be led by David Mulkey on Sunday evening at 6:00pm.

Verdon Chapel by: Richard Jackson

Hazel Lucille Blanton, 95, died Friday, December 06, 2013 at Cleburne Co. Nursing Home.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, December 08, 2013, at Dryden Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Kenneth Howell officiating. Burial followed in Lower Cane Creek Cemetery.

Survivors include: Sisters - Nell Gillum, Saks, Reba King, and Jane Haynes, both of Oxford; Daughter-inlaw Dolly Blanton, Abel; grandchildren-Tammy Boozer and, Kathy Pope; great grandchildren - Bryce Boozer, Jayci Boozer, Jay Pope and, Stacy Sprayberry; several nieces and nephews Mrs. Blanton was a native and life long resident of Cleburne County and a member of New Harmony Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Blanton,and son, Donald Blanton.

Praise God for another day to be in His house in worship!

The outpouring of love for Brother Jay and Sister Pat Daniel was tremendous at the benefit singing on December 7. We are blessed beyond measure to have him and his family as part of our church family. Please keep Brother Jay in your prayers as he continues to improve.

Brother Wayne Whittle brought the word from God today from Exodus, chapter 15. Just as God turned the bitter water sweet for the children of Israel, so can he turn our troubles and trials into good. When we follow God’s instructions, as Moses did when he put the tree into the bitter waters, the bitter things in our life can be made sweet. Do you look to God when things turn bitter? He has sweet water waiting for you.

Brother Whittle’s evening message was from Ephesians, chapter 6. We are instructed to be strong in the Lord.

We cannot stand against Satan by ourselves. We need the spiritual armor that God provides for us to withstand Satan’s wiles. Through our faith, we can depend on God to show us how to resist what Satan throws at us. Do you have God’s armor? All you have to do is ask.

Please pray for: Gene McElroy, Jay Daniel, Alex Cash, Jennifer Hulsey, Bethany Jackson, Corrie Morris, our church, and its members.

We invite you to visit with us at Verdon Chapel.

Wise Chapel by: Dorcas Toney Sunday at 6 p.m., our children and youth will present their stories of Christmas. We will also have special performances by Terry Lowery on piano and Carla Jackson on Saxophone. Come receive a blessing. Fingers foods will follow.

December 18 we will pack backpack Buddies.

December 19 is School Grazing Day. Finger food please.

Many need prayer: Lula Mae Camp, Bea Crawford, Rider Bearden, Deannie Smith, Ken Sanders, Grayson Smith, Hunter Rowland, Kerry Smith, Andrea Smith, John Cook, Ozell Benefield, Bobbye Williamson, Ronald Edwards, Clarence Noles, Pat McKinney, Nell Fordham, Hope Langley, Jimmy Pentecost, Bill Powell, Andretti Daniel, Susan Whaley, Denny Boger, Mark Gibbs, Greg Poole, Mary Truett, our troops, our nation and national leaders. Lee McDaniel and his family missionaries in Africa.

Scripture was John 1:14-17. His name shall be Emmanuel. God is with us. His presence will change the world. When you look at the life of Jesus, He was showing up in strange places. Wherever we find ourselves, there also we find Jesus. God arrives before we do.

Mt. Paran children and youth will present Christmas Story” on Dec. 22, at 6 p.m., EST.

“The

Obituaries Hazel Lucille Blanton

Y Z Crowe

Y Z Crowe, 80, died Monday, December 09, 2013 at Cleburne Co. Nursing Home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, December 12, 2013, at Dryden Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Chris Jackson, officiating. Burial will follow in Greens Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, December 12, 2013 from 12:00 Noon until 1:00 PM. Dryden Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include: Sister - Irmalene (Robert) Norton, Heflin, AL Sister - Joann Snow, Oxford, AL Brother - Jimmy Crowe, Atlanta, GA Numerous Nieces and Nephews Miss Crowe was a native of Cleburne County and lived in Heflin most of her life. She is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Ellen Crowe, brother, J L Crowe, and sisters, Mozell Vaughan, Ezell Breedwell, Jean Miller and Jeanette Smith.

Escar Gene Wood Escar Gene Wood, 85, died Saturday, December 07, 2013 at Stringfellow Hospital.

Funeral services were held December 10, 2013, at Dryden Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Johnny Bonds, and Rev. Nathan Shubert, officiating. Burial followed in Heflin City Cemetery.

Survivors include: Wife - Sara Wood, Heflin; Daughters - Laura (Morton) Rickless, Anniston, Cathy (Steve) Chub, Madison; Son - Tommy (Melissa) Wood, Heflin; Brother - Jack(Jackie) Wood, Heflin; 8 - Grandchildren; 4 - Great -Grandchildren Mr. Wood was a native and life long resident of Heflin, former owner of Wood Drugs and was a World War II veteran of the U S Army. He was a member of Heflin Baptist Church.

12 mo in Cleburne County .. $22.00 6 mo in Cleburne County .....$13.00 12 mo out of County .............$36.00 6 mo out of County ...............$21.00

6 • The Cleburne News, Thursday December 12, 2013

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Buster Miles Chevrolet 685 Ross Street Heflin, Al 36264 Office, 256.463.2151

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TO THE ONLY GOD, OUR SAVIOR, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, BE GLORY, MAJESTY, DOMINION, AND AUTHORITY, BEFORE ALL TIME AND NOW AND FOREVER. AMEN

Piggly Wiggly 800 Ross Street 256.463.2295

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ASSEMBLY OF GOD BETH-EL 5250 Hwy. 46 Heflin, 463-4673 BAPTIST

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AI BAPTIST RR 2, Box 220A Heflin, 748-3002 BEULAH BAPTIST CHURCH 1616 CR 57 Muscadine, AL 36269 CANAAN BAPTIST 3808 County Rd. 11 Heflin, 253-2760 CEDAR CREEK BAPTIST 13019 Co Rd 19 Heflin, 463-4220 CHULAFINNEE BAPTIST 6961 Hwy. 431 Heflin, 253-9077 CONCORD BAPTIST RR 1, Box 14 Muscadine, 748-4412

Cleburne Pharmacy 875 Ross Street• Heflin, Al 36264 256-463-2197

EAST HEFLIN BAPTIST 189 Evans Bridge Rd. Heflin, 463-5650 EDWARDSVILLE BAPTIST 4062 Burton St. Edwardsville FIVE POINTS BAPTIST 2535 County Rd.6 Heflin, 253-2155 FREEDOM BAPTIST 2124 Frank Ledbetter Mem Dr. Ranburne, 568-2277

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MACEDONIA BAPTIST 3920 County Rd. 48 Ranburne, 748-4460 MARANATHA MISSIONARY BAPTIST 1379 Oxford St.

Heflin, 463-2159 MOUNT OLIVE BAPTIST 73 Church St. Heflin, 463-5459 MT PARAN BAPTIST FRUITHURST, AL MUSCADINE BAPTIST County Rd. 49 Muscadine, 579-2112 NEW HARMONY 2359 Hwy. 9 Heflin, 463-5840 NEW HOPEWELL 11654 County Rd 49 Heflin NEW ZION BAPTIST 217 Jefferson St. Heflin, 463-1099 OAK HILL BAPTIST 349 County Rd. 823 Heflin, 831-8467 OLD HOPEWELL BAPTIST Co. Rd. 43 PILGRIMS REST FIRST BAPTIST 2211 County Rd. 205 Fruithurst, 463-5636 PINE GROVE BAPTIST 921 Co. Rd. 62 Heflin 748-8701 PINETUCKY BAPTIST 2984 Co Rd 10 PLEASANT HILL BAPTIST Hwy 9 RANBURNE FIRST BAPTIST 2700 Frank Ledbetter Mem Dr. Ranburne, 568-3677

CHURCH OF GOD PO Box 153 Edwardsville EASTH ATH CHURCH OF GOD Fruithurst, 579-1011 HEFLIN CHURCH OF GOD 205 Willoughby St. Heflin, 463-2902 MOUNT OLIVE CHURCH OF GOD 2763 County Rd. 65 Fruithurst, 463-5569 EPISCOPAL EPISCOPAL CHURCH – THE MESSIAH 836 Lakeview Dr. Heflin, 463-2928 HOLINESS Liberty Rock Holiness 2488 Hwy 46 334-707-3585 METHODIST ANTIOCH UMC 12657 County Road 49 Heflin 256-358-4663 Kent Ponder, Pastor BETHEL UNITED METHODIST County Road 80 Muscadine 463-2178 CAMPGROUND UNITED METHODIST 24581 County Rd. 49 Muscadine, 463-1123 CHULAFINNEE METHODIST 1834 County Rd. 8 Heflin, AL 36264 253-2692 FIRST UNITED METHODIST 785 Ross St. Heflin, 463-2441

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Drop by any of these supporters and say thank you for their support of our Devotional page

The Cleburne News, Thursday December 12, 2013 •7

Lady Tigers rally to get the win RIP DONOVAN

News Sports Correspondent

Showing the ability to rally in the second half, the Cleburne County girls picked up wins in each of their three most recent games. At home on Friday of last week, the Tigers defeated Alexandria 45-41 after trailing 21-14 at the half. At Weaver Monday, Cleburne County defeated Weaver 40-11. Tuesday’s game against Haralson County (Ga.) was played in Heflin and the Tigers won 45-43, rallying from a 21-17 halftime deficit. Cleburne County improved to 4-1.

A change in defenses sparked the rally against Haralson County. Coach Todd Gable said the Tigers went to a fullcourt man press and half-court man late in the first half and stayed with that scheme the entire second half.

“Everybody was playing real good defense, moving their feet. To me, that was the difference in the game,” Gable said. “It just seemed like we were in a little bit bet-

ter shape than they were. We just pressured them into a lot of turnovers.”

Junior guard Alisa Norton led Cleburne County with 13 points and added four rebounds and two assists. Kiara Akles contributed 11 points and eight boards. Shawntavia Boyd recorded eight points, two rebounds and two assists. Erykah Ware had five points and two assists. Kaity Zeiders finished with four points and two rebounds. Madison Jones and Lauren Brown each had two points. Jones nabbed three rebounds.

“As the game went on, I felt we could wear them down and we did,” Gable concluded.

No rally was needed in securing the win over Weaver.

Cleburne County led 11-0 after one quarter and 27-3 at halftime. Akles scored all eight of her points in the first quarter blitz. Gable said the best thing about the game was everybody got to play.

Ware scored nine points to pace the Tigers. She also had four rebounds and three steals. In addition to her eight points, Akles had four rebounds and two steals. Norton

finished with seven points, four assists and three steals.

Boyd had seven points, six rebounds and two steals.

Zeiders was 5-for-5 at the foul stripe and scored seven points. She added three steals and two rebounds. Grace Conkle had two points, four rebounds and two steals.

At Heflin Friday, Norton scored 16 of her game-high 18 points in the second half to lead the Tigers’ comeback.

Norton also had seven rebounds and four assists. She played the entire second half with four fouls.

Akles contributed 11 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Zeiders had 10 rebounds and five points. Boyd added seven points and four rebounds. Ware had three points and six rebounds. Jones scored two points and had three rebounds.

Cleburne County hosts Clay Central Thursday and White Plains Saturday afternoon. Gable said Wednesday’s practice would involve a shoot-around and a review of Clay Central’s schemes from last year. Friday will be another shoot-around day followed by a review of the initial White Plains game this season.

Bulldogs finish fifth overall RIP DONOVAN

News Sports Correspondent

Ranburne wrestlers made a good showing Saturday at Lincoln in the annual Golden Bear Classic tournament.

The Bulldogs finished fifth with 114 points. Two individual championships and two second place finishes powered Ranburne.

Dalton Wiggins won at 152 pounds and Dylan Tullis won at 182 pounds for the Bulldogs. Austin Jordon was second at 195 pounds and Zach Eason second at 220 pounds.

Wiggins was 3-0 on the day Saturday, pinning his first two opponents quickly before winning a 14-5 decision in

the championship match.

Tullis went 4-0 for the tournament. In the semifnals, he pinned No. 1 seed Colin Allison of Weaver in the third period. Allison had beaten Tullis in a dual match a few days earlier. In the finals, Tullis defeated Austin Threatt of Lincoln 5-2.

“He’s getting a lot better. He’s going to be good,” Ranburne coach Jay Harlan predicted. “By the end of the season, he’s going to be pretty tough.”

Eason and Jordan each went 3-1. Jordan pinned his first three opponents then lost a 10-7 decision to Weaver’s Chase Rodgers. Rodgers had pinned Jordan the first time they met. Harlan said Jordan was beginning to work himself into wrestling shape after playing football.

Eason also pinned his first three opponents before losing in the championship match to Cleburne County’s Alex Sandmann.

At 145 pounds, Tyler East was one win short of reaching the medal rounds.

“I told him when we got done Saturday that was probably the best I had ever seen him wrestle,” Harlan said of East. “He’ really improving.”

Orbie Farlow at 113 pounds and Noah McCord at 132 pounds also caught Harlan’s eye at the tournament.

“Orbie and Noah are probably the two most improved from last year to this so far,” Harlan said.

Ranburne’s next tournament will be Friday and Saturday at Weaver in the annual Gene Taylor Classic.

Ranburne boys picks up wins on Monday RIP DONOVAN

News Sports Correspondent

The Ranburne boys picked up a pair of wins Monday and Tuesday, improving to 3-1 on the season.

Class 2A, Area 10 opponent Wellborn came to Ranburne Tuesday and the Bulldogs had no trouble downing the Panthers 55-23. Ranburne led 29-16 at halftime.

Scoring in double figures for the Bulldogs were Kyle Lovvorn, Mark David Smith and Brayden Wilson. Each netted 10 points. Lovvorn also had eight rebounds to lead on the boards.

Dylan Wiggins did a little of everything, finishing with nine points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Jay Smith had five points and four assists. Wade Richardson also scored five points. Blake Young had four points and Spence Florczak scored two points.

Monday’s game was played at New Site against Horseshoe Bend. Ranburne won 45-20 after leading 25-0 initially and 43-7 at halftime.

“We were turning them over in our press, just shooting layups and turning them over and shooting layups,” said Ranburne coach Stephen Bailey. “When they did get down, they were rushing shots and we were rebounding and running.”

Wilson led the scoring effort with 11 points and had five steals and four rebounds. Wiggins and Mark David Smith each scored eight points. Smith added five rebounds while Wiggins made six steals and handed out three assists.

Owen Smith scored six points. Richardson had four points and Florczak scored three points. Young and Jay Smith had two points apiece and Lovvorn made a free throw.

Ranburne begins a run of five games in eight days at

Woodland Friday. The Bulldogs play at Pleasant Valley Tuesday, at White Plains next Thursday then host Wadley on December 20 and Cleburne County on December 21.

Woodland and Pleasant Valley are also Area 10 games.

“We’ve got to get better over the next few days and even next week at playing half-court offense versus a zone. … When people sit in a zone, we slow down. It slows our defense down. It slows our press down. It just disrupts the speed at which we want to play and we’re comfortable playing,” Bailey said. “We’ve got to do some work, especially in the next few days, getting better against half-court zone. … We’re going to have to do a better job of getting the ball inside and keeping it moving.”

Bailey said practices have gone well and he expects that pattern to continue.

“They come with the mindset of getting better every day. We’ve just got to fine tune some details,” he noted.

Heflin council

Annex of property near Buster Miles Ford with retail development in mind LAURA CAMPER

news@cleburnenews.com

The Heflin City Council on Tuesday will vote on a measure to annex five parcels of property, a move that could add sales tax dollars to the city coffers.

Heflin City Clerk Shane Smith said the city approached Matt Miles, owner of Buster Miles Ford, about annexing three parcels of his property on Tompkins Street behind his Ford Store.

Officials want to bring in the property because of development going on in the area and because the city already provides services to the properties, Smith said.

Miles’ properties adjoined two other properties, so the city approached those property owners at the same time, he said.

One of the property owners thought she was already in the city limits.

Wanda Nichols has lived with her husband on Tompkins Street for 25 years. The two moved into their current home on the street about five years ago thinking it was already within the city limits, she said. So, she was surprised when city staff talked to them about annexing their property. But she

readily agreed.

“We’re right here; everything’s right here,” Nichols said. “We figured it just needed to be.”

All three property owners agreed to the annexation and signed petitions to become part of the city, Smith said.

For Miles, it was a decision based on an emotional tie to the city as much as business.

“My other property is in the city limits,” Miles said.

“It’s my city, my community. I wanted to support it.”

But there are some particular advantages. For instance, people who live outside the city limits but get their water from the city Water Works pay a higher rate, Smith said.

Miles, who plans to develop the three parcels behind his Ford store for retail purposes, said he thought it would be an advantage to be in the city limits when trying to lure potential businesses to the lots.

Smith said that with the petition, only the council’s approval is needed to make the change.

This is the easiest way to annex a property, Smith added. If a property owner doesn’t agree to an annex-

ation, there are a couple of ways the city could still try to do it, but both require state legislation, he said.

However, Smith added, the city wouldn’t do that.

Other annexations are possible. At the council’s Tuesday meeting, Mayor Rudy Rooks told members to see if any residents in areas adjoining their districts might be interested in annexation.

“I feel like this may be the first of many,” Rooks said.

But the focus of this annexation, near Interstate 20 where it intersects with Alabama 9, was development, officials said.

“That’s going to be a hot spot for growth,” Rooks said. “We want to make sure that we’re sitting in good shape when that happens.”

Nichols agreed. She has seen the commercial development spring up around her home including the Buster Miles Ford Store and now his Chevrolet dealership under construction.

Her home is up for sale and she hopes it will be sold and developed into business, just as the area around her is now.

“It needs to be business,” Nichols said. “How else is Heflin going to grow?”

Pigskin Roundup held its yearly banquet earlier this week. Making the All-Star Team from Cleburne County was Matthew Shortt and Anderson Jacks.

Holiday Courthouse hours The Cleburne County Courthouse will be closed on December 24th and 25th for Christmas and again on January 1st for New Years Day. The Probate Office will also be closed on December 18th for office staff training.

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8 • The Cleburne News, Thursday, December 12, 2013

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mortgage is recorded in Deed Book 2009, Page 1555; and assigned to Bank of North Georgia by instrument recorded in Mortgage Book 2009, Page 3405, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Cleburne County, Alabama, the undersigned, as Mortgagee or Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in the said mortgage will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash in front of the main entrance of the Cleburne County Courthouse in Heflin, Alabama, on December 19, 2013, during the legal hours of sale the following real estate situated in Cleburne County, Alabama, to wit: Lot 21 of Mountain View Farms Subdivision, as shown on a plat of survey for Mountain View Farms by Crawford & Associates, Inc., dated June 11, 1999 and recorded in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Cleburne County, Alabama, at Plat Book 4, Page 347.

Less and Except: All that tract or parcel of land lying and being part of the West 1/2 of the Southwest 1/4 of Section 33, Township 16 South, Range 12 East, Cleburne County, Alabama, and being more particularly described as follows: To find the point of beginning commence at the intersection of the Southwest right-of-way of Price Road (30 foot right-of-way) and the Northeast right-of-way of Cleburne County Road #96 (80 foot right-of-way) and proceed along the Easterly right-of-way of said Cleburne County Road #96 (80 foot right-of-way) the following courses and distances: South 48 degrees 36 minutes 08 seconds East a distance of 68.04 feet to a point; South 47 degrees 18 minutes 54 seconds East a distance of 50.51 feet to a point; South 44 degrees 40 minutes 05 sec-

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Bank of North Georgia Mortgagee or Transferee This Instrument Prepared By: Burt W. Newsome P.O. Box 382753 Birmingham, AL 35238 Attorney for Mortgagee or Transferee The Cleburne News Cleburne Co., AL November 28, December 5 and 12, 2013

STATE OF ALABAMA CLEBURNE COUNTY

PROBATE COURT CASE # 2013-109 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF SYBIL VANDER VELDE, DECEASED NOTICE TO CREDITORS Letters of Testamentary in the estate of SYBIL VANDER VELDE, deceased having been granted to JOHNNY EDWIN WHITTEN, as Personal Representative on the 10th day of December, 2013, by the Honorable Ryan Robertson, Judge of Probate Court of Cleburne County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law, or the same will be barred.

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CLEBURNE NEWS PUBLICATION Thurs., Dec. 26 Thurs., Jan. 2

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onds East a distance of 176.13 feet to a point; South 41 degrees 36 minutes 38 seconds East a distance of 177.77 feet to a point but specifically to the Northwest corner of Lot 25 as shown on a plat entitled “Property Survey for MOUNTAIN VIEW FARMS, dated April 27, 1999, prepared by Crawford & Associates, Inc., certified by Douglas C. Crawford, Georgia Registered Land Surveyor #14567, recorded July 1, 1999, in Plat Book 4, Page 346, Cleburne County, Alabama Records; thence leaving said Easterly right-of-way of Cleburne County Road #96 (80 foot right-of-way) North 40 degrees 36 minutes 57 seconds East a distance of 272.68 feet to a point, but specifically to the Northeast corner of said Lot 25; thence South 45 degrees 57 minutes 22 seconds East a distance of 30.12 feet to a point which is the TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING; thence from the TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING proceed North 10 degrees 12 minutes 02 seconds East a distance of 22.56 feet to a point; thence South 79 degrees 47 minutes 58 seconds East a distance of 62.98 feet a point; thence South 10 degrees 12 minutes 02 seconds West a distance of 64.79 feet to a point; thence North 45 degrees 57 minutes 22 seconds West a distance of 75.83 feet to a point; being the TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING. Together with the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging.

Said property will be sold on an “AS IS, WHERE IS” basis subject to the right of way easements and restrictions of record in the Probate Office of Cleburne County, Alabama, and will be subject to existing special assessments, if any, which might adversely affect the title to the subject property. This sale is

DEADLINE Wed., Dec. 18, 12 noon Thurs., Dec. 26, 9:00 a.m.

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The Cleburne News, Thursday, December 12, 2013 • 10

Heflin store hopes to draw travelers with hand-made treats LAURA CAMPER

news@cleburnenews.com

Down the hill and behind Stateline Fuel Center on Alabama 46 at its intersection with Interstate 20, with a lawn so new it is still covered in hay, Smith Farms has opened for business.

Construction delays slowed its opening, but the store started welcoming customers two weeks ago, said owner Rodger Turner.

Once in the door, shoppers are greeted with what could be the interior of a barn, but not quite so rustic. Shelves hold bags of gourmet popcorn, bacon and meats smoked on site. Cheeses, jams, jellies, soup mixes and canned soups also fill the store. To the right of the front door, a counter displaying slabs of homemade fudge beckons, and to the left, a wine room awaits those wanting to peruse or even taste some of the 400 different selections lining the walls. Above it all, an antler chandelier hangs from the vaulted, wood ceiling.

From his office off a second-floor balcony, Turner has a view of the front door. He sees people’s reactions as they come in, and he designed the store specifically to awe first-time visitors, Turner said.

“It feels like they’re up in the mountains here,” Turner said. “I want people to come in that door and when they leave, feel glad they came.”

Turner bought Smith Farms in Cullman from the Smith Family in 2001. The store, a fruit stand that also offered country hams, cheese hoops and honey, had been in business since 1950, Turner said.

He was working in trucking at the time, but he looked at the business and thought it was something he could grow, Turner said.

“Two weeks later, I was in the Smith Farm business,” Turner said.

Frank Dalessandro, a long-time friend who Turner described as “part of his brain,” shopped at the Smith Farms in Cullman long before he’d met Turner, he said. Dalessandro, who lives in Georgia, came in the first time as he was passing through Cullman on a business trip. The store became an annual stop for Christmas gifts because of the quality of the food and the atmosphere, Dalessandro said.

“It’s such a unique store,” he said. “It’s entertainment.”

One difference between Smith Farms and chain stores is that the meat offered in

Laura Camper

The Smith Farms location in Heflin is open for business behind Stateline Fuel Center on exit 205. the store is all cured and smoked on-site using the same recipe that Smith Farms has used since 1950, Turner said.

The store has a smoker that cooks about 500 pounds of meat at a time and a charcoal smoker that holds about 5 tons, Turner said.

The store also makes its own fudge. After Christmas, it will start making pies and in the spring, ice cream, he said.

Turner has big plans and the Heflin store is an integral part of those plans. Turner

hopes to franchise Smith Farms stores and the Heflin store’s location on I-20 makes it a good jumping-off point for a distribution center, he said.

He’s already bought the property for one, he added.

But it all depends on how the Heflin store fares in its location in the city’s retail-oriented improvement district.

“It’s based on how much support we get from this community and surrounding ar-

eas,” Turner said.

Shane Smith, Heflin city clerk said the store is already drawing customers from Gadsden, Georgia, Randolph and Clay counties who then shop at other stores in the area.

“We see it as the start of development out there,” Smith said. We’re very fortunate to have it here.”

Staff Writer Laura Camper 256-4632872. On Twitter @LCamper_Star.

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