The Hartselle Enquirer - March 6, 2024

Community mourns loss of 4-year-old son of Hartselle High teacher killed by dog

By David Gambino

For the Enquirer

The 4-year-old boy killed Feb. 26 by a neighbor’s dog in Hartselle has been identified as Beau Clark, the son of a beloved Hartselle High School English teacher

Hailey Clark, Beau’s mother, previously taught at Hartselle Junior High before transferring to the high school, according to Principal Brad Cooper

“She’s a very much-loved teacher and colleague,” he said. “She’s part of our family and we ’ re here to support her and her family however it’s needed.”

Morgan County Sheriff ’ s Office deputies responded to the Clark

residence on Ramblewood Private Drive, off of Vaughn Bridge Road and about 5 miles west of downtown Hartselle, at 5:54 p.m.

MCSO spokesman Mike Swafford said the call initially indicated that a child was hit by a car Deputies weren t prepared for the gruesome scene that waited for them, Swafford said. Once they arrived on scene, one of our deputies was helping the father with the child, and the other deputy was able to locate the lost dog, which was still aggressive,” Swafford said. “He had it at gunpoint and ultimately had to put it down ” Multiple volunteer fire departments, the Morgan County coroner, EMS and 11 sheriff ’ s investi-

Finances, roads, recreation discussed at State of Morgan County Forum

By Erica Smith

For the Enquirer

At the annual State of Morgan County Forum, held Feb 28, Morgan County Commission Chairman Ray Long and the countys four commissioners discussed progress on recreational facilities and roads and pay raises put in place for county employees

We re doing stuff for the community to make a difference in people s lives, Long said It takes time and it takes money to do that, and it takes planning, and you ve seen a lot of that the last few years

Long said the Morgan County Commission budget has $8 million in reserve

All our finances are in order,” Long said “ We’ve never cut services to our citizens; we ’ re always trying to add services ”

Long said the county is run like a business

“We’ve bought sheriff ’ s cars We increased the pay of the jail, both the deputies and the jailers We’ve done the same for Environmental (Services Department), we bought new vehicles,” he said Priceville’s North Park is in Jeff Clark’s District 1 The park is getting an additional restroom, a third concession stand, and two additional ballfields

“They’re getting those ready right now, and hopefully they’ll be ready for next spring, I’m sure, ” Clark said “The concession, restroom area is finished,” but work continues on the parking lot, lights and fencing Progress has been made on West Morgan Road, which has been closed for about a year and a half due to a narrow bridge that was deemed unsafe The road is between Alabama 24 and Old Moulton Road Clark said he plans to widen the bridge, move it over, and take some of the curve out of the road

“Finally, we got the people to agree to sell the property that we needed for additional right of way, ” he said “The state notified us (Tuesday) that they have agreed to it They’re paying them, and then the next step will be to put the bridge out for bid Hopefully, in the next 90 days we’ll have a bid back ”

Long

Vest

The new gymnasium at Danville’s West Park that was completed in October is in Randy Vest’s District 2 “We’ve added security cameras to that and to a few other locations around the park (recently),” he said “I’m assuming that the general public knowing we ’ ve got security cameras, plus the gym with additional lighting, has helped with some of the vandalism there We used to get vandalism almost every weekend in some of the restrooms that were left open for people that walk the track, and that s went down by 80% Vest said they are looking into creating additional parking for the park and gymnasium He said they purchased a lot on the cor-

See MORGAN page 5

gators in total arrived to help. An air evacuation was also called for initially Due to the critical nature, (EMS) couldn t wait for the helicopter to get there and left with law enforcement escort, Swafford said MCSO initially identified the dog as a pit bull before later specifying that it was an Olde English Bulldog According to the United Kennel Club, English bulldogs were originally bred for the sport of bull baiting over a thousand years ago. In bull baiting, dogs attack and subdue a bull by biting and holding onto its nose or neck Today’s pit bulls an umbrella term for several breeds are descendants of English bull bait-

ing dogs, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Morgan County Animal Shelter

Director Darren Tucker, whose department collected the dog s body and sent off specimens for analysis, said the animal appeared to be a pit bull mix weighing between 40 and 60 pounds

This morning, we contacted the Morgan County Health Department, because the people that own the dog had called about getting the dog’s remains,” Tucker said Tuesday “The Department would not allow it. The dog has to be sent in because of the severity of the incident.”

Tucker tried to make sense of the violence based on almost seven

years of experience in his role.

I think the two families are neighbors and know one another, he said. “So, theres no malice between the two. I think the child was familiar with that dog

Tucker said 97% of the calls that Animal Control responds to for aggressive animals end up being pit bull related. His shelter relies heavily on animal rescue groups to adopt dogs out. At least two of the groups will not take pit bulls at all because the breed’s “trigger” is unpredictable.

“For some reason they might become territorial all of the sudden,” Tucker said “They might

See COMMUNITY page 5

Hartselle students glide into STEM success with The Hovercraft Project

By Rebekah Yancey rebekah.yancey @hartselleenquirer

com

What do you get when you put 90 elementary school students in a gym for five hours with 16 leaf blowers?

According to The Hovercraft Project’s Matthew Chase, you get 1,000 units of “ awesome ”

That’s the premise of The Hovercraft Project that came to the Sparkman Civic Center this past Friday to engage with fifth and sixth grade students from Barkley Bridge Elementary School

Armed with only a tape measure and a piece of string, students spent several hours building their very own hovercraft using principles learned

in STEAM education A hovercraft is a low friction vehicle that rides on a thin current of air STEAM Education is an approach to teaching and learning that combines science, technology, engineering, the arts and math to guide student inquiry, discussion, and problem-solving. Education experts say STEAM education is about more than developing practical skills alone

The Hovercraft Project is a fully integrated curriculum coupled with inquiry-based learning, according to the project’s website, meaning students can practice all subjects concurrently

Adults supervising the project may only ask questions to help them solve problems The Hovercraft project

also gives teachers a framework that can be immediately implemented in their classrooms through projectbased instruction

Principal Laura Lamb said her administration has wanted to have the project visit BBE for years, but the project stays booked in advance, so this is the first year her students have participated

Jamie Dutton was responsible for arranging the all-day field trip

“It was such a unique way to expose our students to the perseverance and emotional stamina needed through several failed attempts to reach the required level of success needed in an all-day project,” Dutton said. The (students) learned many valuable life skills as they worked through their day and had a blast racing”

Local business launches ‘Play It Forward’ program to support local families

By Rebekah Yancey rebekah.yancey @hartselleenquirer.com

A local business has rolled out the ‘Play It Forward’ program, geared toward aiding children and families in need within the community Recognizing the financial hurdles associated with sports participation, the program strives to create opportunities for those facing barriers to acquiring essential sports equipment BeFrizz, is calling upon the generosity of community members to contribute new or gently used sports equipment. The store will

serve as the central hub for the program Interested individuals are encouraged to reach out to the store during regular business hours for more information on participate. B r i a n Frizell, t driving f o r c e behind the initiative, kn all too well expensive sports can be She said she was inspired by conversations she had with other sports families.

ner with some fellow ballplaying friends, and I just couldn’t get the idea out of my head,” she said “It went from discussion to reality in about three We all have t of used equipment that still has a lot of life left in it. There is here local takes in items like that.

“It came up during din-

“Our kids have been playing softball for seven years now Every season/ every team will have at least one family that can’t

afford everything they may want/need for that season, ” Frizzell added “This program is going to be a great way to give these kids an opportunity they wouldn’t otherwise have We’ve already had a huge response from people wanting to donate, so hopefully this program will become a household name, and we can help families throughout our community” Frizzell added children will get to keep the sports equipment provided through ‘Play it Forward ’ BeFrizz is located at located at 101 Main St E , Hartselle

Stisher

PHOTO BY JERNNIFER SHERWOOD

Malachi Massey and Ryker Johnson take a ride on their homemade hovercraft at the Sparkman Civic Center Feb. 29 as a part of The Hovercraft Project See more photos online at www.hartselleenquirer.com

Rodger Dale

Hollaway

Hartselle

Funeral service for Rodger Dale Hollaway, 58, will be Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at 3:00 PM at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Geoff Halbrooks and David Starr officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing Mr Hollaway died on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Decatur Morgan Hospital He was born July 10, 1965, in Morgan County, to William Darrell Hollaway and Charlotte Hollaway He was self-employed as a mechanic He loved to work and restore cars and motorcycles He loved fast cars Rodger was a giving person and loved helping others, especially older people He enjoyed grilling and spending time with his family that he loved dearly Preceding him in death were his father and a brother, Tim Hollaway Survivors include his life companion of 39 years, Glenda Massey; sons, Travis Moss (Shanna) and

A J Myers; mother, Charlotte Hollaway

Kenneth Joe Roberts

Decatur Funeral service for KennethJoeRoberts,66,willbe Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Peck Funeral Home directing Burial will be in East Lawrence Memorial Gardens Mr Roberts died on Sunday, February 25, 2024, at Decatur Morgan Parkway Medical Center He was born November 4, 1957, in Morgan County, to Ferriel D Roberts and Mattie P Turner Roberts He was employed with Goodyear/ Hysung in the Decatur Alabama Plant as a Supervisor, prior to his passing He was preceded in death by his parents, sister-in -law, Hope Campbell, and nieces Anita Roberts and Chantey Roberts Survivors include his wife, Amanda Roberts; daughter, Robin Jordan Owens; brothers, Donald Roberts and Mike Brown (Cindy);

sister-in-law, Debbie Roberts; brothers-in-law, Zac Moore (Crystal), Derrick Shane Campbell, Sherrill Campbell and Johnny Campbell; nieces, Alyssa Brown and Monica Desindes; nephew, Landon Chase Campbell; great-nephew, Ledger Cross Campbell Pallbearers will be Landon Campbell, Bobby Brown, AnthonyCrow,GregTaylor, Jim Tanner and R a n d y W h i t e Honorary pallbearers will be Rex Hensley, Larry Sparkman, Terry Johnson, John Sterling, Timmy Ray Morgan and Teddy Mayfield

Robert Franklin

“Frank” Burks Hartselle

Mr Robert Franklin Frank Burks of Hartselle passed away peacefully

Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at his residence at the age of 89

His funeral service will be in the chapel at 11:00 AM with Burial following at Hartselle City Cemetery Pastor Clayton Speed and George Knight will be officiating He was born to Oliver and Pearlie Tilley Burks on September 23, 1934 in Cullman County, AL He was a 1952 graduate of West Point High School in Cullman

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife of 63 years, Bonnie Burkes; brother, Hayden Burks; sister in law, Martha Burks; brothers in law, Marvin Hale and Hubert Tolbert He is survived by daughter, Wanna Fay Reeder (Paul C ); grandson, Robert Daniel Dobbs; sister, Mavis Hale, sister in laws, Betty Lollar and Christine Tolbert and many nieces and nephews

all the cats and dogs that were a part of his life Frank was a musician and played by ear He was talented on the dulcimer and the keyboard He loved to eat out He had an affection for Mexican food, PigskinBBQandDot sSoul food Restaurant and Oh! Bryan s He often called me and told me of the times his ticket was already paid for The employees of Don Alejo were especially close to him Frank loved to laugh and loved to tell a good story He remembered all of his childhood friends and their exploits It was hard to find a picture of just Frank He and Bonnie were always together During his last days he told his family that he was ready to go to Heaven It was a beautiful place and Bonnie and his family were waiting to be reunited

Pallbearers will be Daniel Dobbs, Jeffery Dobbs, Wayne Long, Paul C Reeder, Kenny Boster and Butch Waldrop Honorary pallbearers will be The Sunday School Class of George Knight

A special thanks to the nurses of Decatur Morgan Hospital, USA Health and Rehab And Hospice of the Valley

In lieu of flowers please make donations to:

First Baptist Church of Hartselle, 210 Woodland Street, Hartselle, AL 35640 Designate the Van Fund

Beau Thomas Clark Hartselle

his classmates at Crestline and loved them He especially cared for his special friends in the ECLIPSE Class and was chosen as Student of the Quarter for the Pre-K Class, which was an award for exhibiting good cooperation

Preceding him in death were great-grandparents: Earl and Irone Jacobs, Bobby Berry, Bruce and Charlotte Clark, Harry and Nellie Renfroe and Wendell Holmes

Survivors include his parents, Kevin and Hailey Johnson Clark; brothers, Rhett and Shane Clark; grandparents, Kenneth and Erlene Clark, Brian and Winda Johnson and Rodney and Karen Renfroe; great Kenneth and Carolyn Johnson, Voncille Berry, Margaret Jacobs and Geraldine Holmes; uncles and aunts, Josh and Charity Clark, Jared and Madison Johnson, Sarah and Brandon Shubert, Catie Renfroe, Brandon and Crista Goodwin and Lauren and Jairus Dixon; 11 cousins Pallbearers will be Michael Hembree, Zeb Jones, Jason Bowling and Adam Glenn

In lieu of flowers family requests memorials be made to Grace Ministries (a ministry to Guatemala) @ http://aglimpseofgrace com

Joseph Arthur

Behnke

Albertville

Left to cherish Joe’s memory and legacy are his beloved wife Jannette Behnke; his two sons Joe Behnke, Jr (Kari) and Brian Behnke (Angela), stepdaughter Melinda Collier (Phillip), and five grandchildren: Colin Behnke, Donovan Behnke, Anniston Collier, Ridge Collier, and Tripp Collier Joe is also survived by his siblings, Suzanne Midlock (John), Artie Behnke, half-siblings Angela Hopkins (Ron), Alice Back, William Behnke, Cathy Moore, John Behnke (Nikki) and a multitude of nieces, nephews, and other extended family

Joe will be remembered as a passionate man whose smile lit up a room and made everyone who received it feel like a million bucks He was affectionately known by his immediate family as Most Handsome Joe loved his family very much, especially his children and grandchildren

To his children, please remember his words: You all have little people looking up to you, so you better shine to them!”

Visitation will be at Peck Funeral Home in Hartselle, Alabama at 6:00 PM on Friday, March 1, 2024

The funeral will also be at Peck Funeral Home on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 1:00 PM Cremation services will follow

Brian C. Fields

Somerville

Joseph Arthur “Joe” Behnke, Sr , 76 of Albertville, Alabama, went to Heaven on February 27, 2024 He was born on February 26, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois to parents Arthur Herman Behnke and Mildred Prince Behnke

He is preceded in death by his parents and an older infant sister Joe joined the United States Navy in 1969 and spent 4 years serving his country

In his younger days, he worked in Michigan for Buick He started working for the Decatur Daily in 1956 He married the love of his life, Bonnie, in 1957and had their daughter in 1958 Frank retired from The Decatur Daily after 58 years He worked for three generations of the Sheltons He joined First Baptist Church of Hartselle in 1968 He was active in RA’s and worked with the video, sound and lighting system He continued to be a faithful member until his death He loved reading and discussing the Bible Frank loved to bowl, fish, golf and collect coins He and Bonnie loved to go camping with their camping friends A favorite trip was to the Nashville Flea Market with friends He and Bonnie collected antiques His specialty was lamps and iron skillets Frank loved sports He was a girls softball coach for The Hillbillies He watched all sports on television, especially Alabama Frank had a green thumb His garden was always bountiful, and his Early Girl tomatoes were famous He still insisted on mowing his yard and you could find him riding his Cub Cadet at full speed Frank loved animals and had a special bond with

Funeral service for Beau Thomas Clark, 4, will be Friday, March 1, 2024

at 11:00 AM at Danville Baptist Church with Bro Joe David Bailey and Bro Spencer Bell officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing Burial will be in Herring Cemetery

Beau died on Monday, February 26, 2024, at Decatur Morgan Hospital He was born November 11, 2019, in Madison County, to Kevin Clark and Hailey Johnson Clark

Beau loved life He was a big ladies’ man, loved people and morning coffee He was always looking forward to playing T-ball and when playing, he was determined to be #7 because #7 was superfast He was always trying to keep up with his big brothers, was very, very independent, loved to play, loved animals (dogs, cats and chickens), loved his canoe, squirrel hunting on Flint Creek and loved to fish

Beau was a good friend to

In 1973 when he left the Navy, he enjoyed his life stateside He raced Enduro Bikes in the 1970s and started a brief career as a truck driver and diesel mechanic in the late 1970s and early 1980s

Joe was able to explore the world not only through his time in the Navy, but as a sculptor Joe was taught sculpting by an Italian Sculptor in Chicago during the 1960s His hobby became a passion, his craft Joe traveled across the United States and to the Caribbean not only to create beautiful works for others, but to inspire sculpting students

In the 1990s and 2000s, Joe became known as the grandfather of Mould making in the United States

In his free time, Joe was an avid fisherman Many days he could be found out on the lake catching catfish, bass, stripes, anything that would bite He certainly kept the deep freezer full! Joe’s love of fishing was closely matched by his love of Alabama Football (Roll Tide!) During football season, Joe’s social media could be seen filled with posts announcing the Crimson Tide was going to whoop their opponent any given weekend Finally, Joe had a soft spot for dogs

He is preceded in death by two of his best dog pals, Rudy and Dollie He leaves behind two canine comrades, Eddie and Buford,whowereabletosee him in the hospital and give him final earthside licks and kisses

A Graveside Funeral service and Interment for Brian C Fields, 61, will be Sunday, March 3, 2024, at 2:00 PM at Rock Creek Church of God Cemetery in Bessemer with Bro Mike Stephens officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing Mr Fields died on Friday, March 1, 2024, at his residence He was born November 29, 1962, in Jefferson County, to Douglas Curtis Fields and Flora Elizabeth Hyche Fields He was a wonderful loving husband, a great brother, son and uncle and a good friend He was a Baptist in his faith and a good Christian man He was employed by the City of Decatur as a Systems Analyst and enjoyed his job Brian loved his family and friends dearly Preceding him in death were his parents, Douglas and Sally Fields and grandparents, Eunis and William Fields Survivors include his wife, Sandy Nelson Fields; brother, Bradley Fields (Lenae); sister, Kimberly Boyer (David); nieces and nephews, Hollie Green (Luke), Caitlyn Riley (Chandlar), Micah Boyer, Ethan Fields, Cameron Fields and Emmalyn Fields Pallbearers will be Ethan Fields, Cameron Fields, Micah Boyer, Luke Green, Chandlar Riley and David Boyer

In lieu of flowers, Family requests donations be made to Pancreatic Cancer Research

All month Weight Watchers meetings are Mondays at 5:30 p m at the civic center Weigh-in begins 5 p m For more info, visit www weightwatchers.com.

A cancer support group meets on the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Pleasant Place building Any person with any type of cancer is invited to attend. For more information, call 784-5694.

Kim Robertson, a former University of Alabama Crimsonette, instructs a girls baton class for ages 5 and older in the basics of baton at the civic center The fee for this class is $50 per month. Classes meet on Thursday afternoons Call the civic center for details.

All mothers of active duty reserve or honorably discharged military service members are invited to attend monthly meetings of Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. The Morgan County Chapter meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at East Highland Baptist Church in Hartselle.

Priceville Palace, 716 NE Thompson Road, Priceville, will have Ricky D the Dancing DJ Fridays from 7-10 p.m. Saturdays will feature a dance class from 6-7 p.m. followed by Country Editions Band from 7-10 p.m. For more info call 256-353-4362.

Hartselle Hope AA Meetings meets at the following times: MondaySaturday at 5:30 and 7 p m ; Monday, Wednesday and Friday at noon, Sundays at 9 a m and 6 p m Located 527 Sparkman St SW For more information call 256606-6211, 256-778-9081 or 256-345-4392

The American Legion Auxiliary Post 52 meets on the first Thursday of every month The event is open to women veteran including the spouse ’ s daughters and mothers, of veterans interested in joining the American Legion The meetings are held at the John Thompson Post 52 Legion Hall located at 1110 Sparkman St NW For more info, call Laurie Cooper at 256612-7444

JMK Martial Arts- Join

JMK Martial Arts & Fitness at the Hartselle Civic Center and build a more confident you! Martial

arts and fitness classes are available for kids and adults Classes are divided into age groups as follows; Pre-Kubs (ages 3-4), Lil Kubs (ages 5-7), Kid Kubs (ages 8-10), Jr Kubs (ages 11-14) and adults (ages 15 and older) Classes include karate, HapKiDo, wrestling/grappling, sparring, self defense, fitness and conditioning See www JMKMartialArts com for a schedule and pricing

Hartselle Public Library offers Preschool Storytime every Tuesday at 10:30 a m

TOPS club AL0161 meets Mondays at 10 a m at Hartselle First Christian Church Join us to Take Off Pounds Sensibly For more information, call Katie at 256-4763696 or Mona at 256502-9042

Hartselle Nutrition Center invites seniors to join area senior citizens, ages 55 and older, for mornings of games, food and good times Participants also go on monthly outings and play bingo and cards, along with other activities Suggested donation for the daily lunch is $1 25 per person Anyone who does not have transportation to the center can call Steve at 256-773-0786 Arrangements will be made for free NARCOG transit The nutrition center is open Mon through Fri , excluding holidays, from 8 a m until noon

Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered, 12-step program for anyone with a hurt, habit or hang-up, meets at 5:30 p m at First United Methodist Church in Hartselle Meetings are every Monday night, including a free meal at 5:30 p m and the group meeting at 6:15 p m Celebrate Recovery aims to offer a safe place to meet with others who are also seeking healing For more info email jhand@fumchartselle org.

Falkville VFW, located at 784 Culver Road, hosts bingo every Friday night at 5:45 p m For more information, call 256-784 5747

Narcotics Anonymous Meeting List: Sunday at 6 on Zoom ID # 622385025 Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p m in person In per-

meetings are held at 406 Pine Ave SW, Decatur

Scholarship named after 4-year-old killed by dog; no criminal charges expected

By David Gambino

For the Enquirer

A college scholarship named after Beau Clark, the Hartselle boy killed by a neighbor’s dog Feb 26, will be awarded each year to a Hartselle High School senior, family friends announced this past week

Also on Thursday, the Morgan County Sheriff ’ s Office and District Attorney Scott Anderson said no criminal charges related to the attack are expected.

Mary Springer, one of the organizers of the Beau Thomas Clark Memorial Scholarship fund, said friends of the Clark family wanted to help beyond the immediate need of food and flowers.

“We wanted to do something that was going to be a legacy for him,” she said. “We wanted for him to be remembered in the future in a happy way ”

The scholarship money will go to at least one Hartselle senior each year, according to Springer, with the possibility of more awards, depending on the size of donations Other qualifications for the award are unknown; Springer said the Clark family will determine the criteria

Beau’s mother, Hailey Clark, teaches English at the high school Interested contributors can donate to the scholarship fund at any Bank Independent branch Later, Springer said donations will also be accepted via Venmo and Paypal

“I’m hoping that we get some support for it because Beau was a precious child,” said RaJane Johnson, who also helped organize the scholarship “His laughter was infectious,” said Johnson, a longtime friend of Beau’s paternal grandmother, Erlene Clark “He just did everything quick: walked quick, talked quick I think that’s from having older brothers that he strived to keep up with He was as old as they were, in his mind ”

Erlene Clark echoed the sentiment She said Beau always felt like he was as big as his two older brothers, ages 8 and 11 A couple of years ago, she said Santa Claus brought Beau’s siblings two minibikes, or small motorcycles

“Santa Claus’ helper, which is my husband, looked at me and said:

‘Who do you think is going to be the first person at the ER?’ You know, with a little broken arm or something like that

“And we ’ re like: ‘It will be Beau ’”

Come Christmas morning, as the kids swarmed

the presents under the tree, Beau went for the minibike He s sitting there with a pacifier, and he goes up to that minibike and hes trying to pull the handle, like: I know how this thing works, I can figure it out He was precocious in other ways, too At his brother s baseball games, Beau became a real ladies man

At the ballpark and he loved blondes; his mama and I are brunettes, so it s kind of offensive he d always pick some mother on the team and that was his companion,” Clark said “He wouldn’t sit with the family He had to go find him some other mama ” Erlene Clark lost her father last October She said the family has had to navigate several deaths in the last year At her father’s funeral, Beau was a junior pallbearer

“Beau got a suit, and he was so proud of that suit and bow tie,” she said “He got to walk with his daddy as a pallbearer, even though he didn’t fully comprehend it He was part of it ”

Erlene Clark said her father, Earl Jacobs, was a character Beau reminded Jacobs of himself as a child Jacobs’ brother told Erlene Clark he was glad Jacobs didn’t live to see Beau’s death

“It would have just killed him,” Clark said

T-ball

Beau was preparing for his first T-ball practice on Monday evening His father, Kevin Clark, was going to be the team’s coach Beau didn’t call it T-ball, according to his grandma, because T-ball is for babies He called it baseball

“He was so excited because he was finally getting his turn at ball,” Erlene Clark said “Kevin played high school baseball at Hartselle Baseball was always a part of our life ”

At the time of the attack, the neighbors’ dog, identified by MCSO as an Olde English Bulldog, was secured on its own property The animal had no history of violent or aggressive behavior, the MCSO said The neighbors are friends with the Clark family, according to MCSO, and Beau was familiar with their dog and had been around it many times before

On Feb 26, Beau was riding his bike and “for unknown reasons entered the yard he had been in numerous times,” MCSO said Anderson on Thursday said no one foresaw the attack coming

“Given the totality of the circumstances that include,

Beau Clark

but aren’t necessarily limited to, the desires of the family, the friendship that the two families share and the fact that everyone was surprised by the actions of the dog with regards to this unexpected attack, it does not appear, at this time, that criminal charges are warranted,” he said Sheriff Ron Puckett asked for prayers for the first responders who “ carry the weight of this tragedy with them ” All who responded to the attack have had or will receive mandatory counseling “This is an incredible tragedy in the truest sense of the word, Puckett said “We continue to pray for both families and will continue to do so in the days to come I am grateful for our deputies and the actions they took that night alongside our EMS, volunteer fire departments and dispatch partners

According to Beau s obituary shared by Peck Funeral Home, his funeral service was held this past Friday at 11 a m at Danville Baptist Church MCSO on Thursday shared a Facebook post from Hailey Clark wherein she expressed her faith in God and gratitude for community support He was his daddy s shadow and couldn t wait to get on Flint Creek this spring in his daddy s canoe and have his daddy as his baseball coach, she wrote Hes changed me Hes changed us Hes taught me patience Hes taught me to let go of things that really just don t matter Who knew you could learn so much from such a small child?”

Beau was a preschool student in the ECLIPSE Program at Crestline Elemen-

tary School The innovative program brings children with and without disabilities together in one classroom, as research shows children with disabilities learn more quickly when they can observe social interactions of same-age peers

Every nine weeks at the school, teachers nominate a “student of the quarter” who best exhibits the characteristics of a quarter’s theme The theme this past quarter was “cooperation ” Beau won He didn’t know it He was scheduled to receive the award next week His parents would have attended the assembly to watch Beau climb the stage and receive a certificate

We ve had grief counselors on campus every day, said Crestline Principal Karissa Lang. We ve had a lot of parents say, listen, we just don t know what to do So, we sent some resources home to parents on how to talk to your child about death

Lang said she and many of her colleagues know Hailey Clark, since she too works in the Hartselle school system She said their sweet little town has rallied to show the Clark family love and support

We all know each other so well that I think that s why it s been so hard, she said When we see a need, everybody steps up That s what I think is wonderful Recently, Beau s teacher took a picture of him helping a blind classmate put her shoes on and sent the picture to Beau s mother When he got home, Hailey Clark asked him why he did that.

“Because she couldn’t do it herself,” Beau replied.

First workers in the field

The first workers to hit the Clay County fields where I grew up were cotton choppers. They appeared in droves working with sharpened hoes--some bareheaded, some with heads covered with caps and bonnets--and wearing handed down, long-sleeved white shirts They covered the hillsides and hollows like drifting sand, slowly edging toward their goal of getting from one end of the row to the other

The work was hard but critical to the crop’s success Every missed lick of the hoe affected the value of the harvest Clean rows of skip-free cotton resulted in the highest yield and top price per pound of lint at market

In my childhood days spent on a small cotton farm, we ordered our work according to “sun time” even after someone got the big idea to readjust the hands on the clock and call it “daylight saving time” argung that it would give us another hour of sunlight in which to work. That proposition did not affect our schedule at all. Our workday was not defined by a time clock. Its boundaries were determined by sunrise and sunset.

The roosters still crowed in the morning before daylight. The cows owed to be fed and milked at the same old time as usual We still arose while it was yet dark to complete the morning chores After breakfast, we arrived in the fields for work just as the sun came over the eastern horizon. We stopped work for what coun-

It’s not supposed to be this way You’re not supposed to see your friends’ pictures on news articles about their four-year-old dying You’re not supposed to be astounded by their strong faith in the face of unimaginable grief You always hope every believer will have that kind of faith, but you pray you never have to find out if they do. You pray that everyone you know will go their entire life not having to be tested in that way, but that’s not the world we live in.

Grief is an interesting thing; it visits everyone over the course of a life. Sometimes it lingers beyond

Clif Knight Staff Writer Emeritus

W e a t h e r c o n d i t i o n s were crucial to getting a cotton crop off to a good start Warm, dry weather was needed for a good seedbed and over-seeding was a common practice at planting time The first implement used to prepare the seed bed for hoeing was a fowler This implement was bladed on both sides and swept the soil from e seedbed to the middle of the cotton row It

cleaned everything out of the row except the cotton seedlings and grass and weeds within a 4-inch wide path This is where hoe hands enter the picture They removed unneeded plants as well as weeds and grass Thereafter, the function of maintaining a clean cotton crop was in the hands of a mule, Georgia plow stock and a seasoned plow hand Cotton chopping was strictly a family function in bygone years, just as cotton picking Dads, moms and siblings all participated A good hoe hand could find work at $2 per day

My prior experience working on a family farm has taught me how important it is to plan, use only high-quality seeds and plants,

Quitting time

A. Ray Lee Columnist

try folks called dinner as the sun reached its zenith After a filling meal and a brief rest, we returned to the fields for an afternoon of labor where we were shielded from the heat of the sun only by a straw hat. We trudged barefooted down long rows of cotton with a hoe in hand removing excess cotton plants and digging out grass and weeds. As the sun began to sink low my strength dissipated and I prayed the sun would hasten down so J

J would declare it to be quitting time. I silently groaned when we started another set of rows knowing the sun would be out of sight before we reached their end.

In the classic movie “Gone with the Wind” there is a scene depicting a number of slaves cultivating young cotton plants It was late in the afternoon when both the mules and those guiding the plows were exhausted from the long hours spent in the field The rows they were ploughing seemed endless as the sun sank low in the western sky Suddenly one of the young men could stand the toil and heat no longer Wiping grime and sweat from his brow with a calloused hand he yelled “quitting time.” But the supervisor turned, and in a commanding voice said, “It ain’t quitting time ‘til I say it’s quitting time.”

Good grief

its welcome and other times it passes by like a thief in the night S o m e t i m e s it visits the lonesome, left to suffer all on their own, while other times it hangs over a city like a storm cloud that the wind just can’t blow away

That’s what happened here in Hartselle; tragedy struck and grief rolled through the streets like rain. An ER waiting room was crowded with people and it seemed like the whole world stopped, but the hardest part about grief is that the world doesn’t stop. It just keeps on going like nothing happened.

Eventually, one day, the wind begins to blow, and the sun begins to cut through the clouds.

In Hartselle, the most powerful wind that has blown is the one coming from those who have every excuse to bunker down and just wait out the storm.

What a testimony that the first

and plant when the time is right I can’t say I always stick to this regimen For example, I planted squash seed earlier than usual last year following several days of warm weather in March The seed failed to germinate after a heavy rain and had to be replanted I m still trying to find better ways of controlling grass and weed growth in my garden without having to rely on digging them out with a hoe Last year, I lost part of my early garden when weeds and grass took over after I was hospitalized for surgery Failure to do the work a timely manner can lead to insect damage and poor yield

As one ages the cares, heartaches, and trials accumulate as do the years Memories from the past often cloud our vision of the present and our hope for the future. We seek for a reason to continue in life Some may even pray for a day when physical life will end and they will be home with the Lord. But it is not quitting time until the Lord of life says it is Then there is a new day coming for those who love and trust him.

An old Gospel song states “Sunset is coming but the sunrise we will see. ” John the Revelator writes of a day when all will be new and the cares and heartaches of the past will be wiped away with our tears For the blessed promise in its entirety see Revelation chapter 21. Lord hasten the day when our faith shall be sight!

words our city heard from Hailey and Kevin Clark were words filled with faith and strength Words that pointed to their grief over the loss of their sweet son, but also pointed to their faithful Father We may never know the extent of God’s plan with Beau’s life, but the Clarks reminded us that whatever it is, it’s wonderful and marvelous They reminded us that it’s not pointless or wasted, and while the ground will remain wet from the storm that passed for years to come, beautiful flowers will grow in its place because of Beau Clark.

accepted

Need more information? Call 256-773-6566

Jacob Hatcher Community Columnist

By Staff Reports

Students at Falkville High School recently learned firsthand the dangers of driving while impaired – all without getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.

They were able to do so by participating in the Morgan County Sheriff ’ s impaired driving course during their driver’s education class.

Mike Swafford, the public information officer for the Morgan County Sheriff ’ s Office, said the course was launched in 2019 during the Endless Opportunities event for eighth grade students It was so well received, Swafford said, schools began reaching out to the MCSO asking for the course to be brought directly to area schools

This past week, deputies worked with Keith Wilemon at Falkville High School to take his three driver’s education classes through the course

In addition to impaired driving, deputies go over the dangers of buzzed and distracted driving, Swafford added Statistics show six out

of 10 accidents involving teens involve distracted driving, according to Swafford and, in Alabama, vehicular deaths account for almost half of preventable deaths for residents less than 18 years of age each year “Driver inexperience” is cited as the cause of many of those deaths Other factors that contribute to teen driver crashes, injuries, and fatalities include: Driver inexperience –this amplifies the effects of most other factors, including:

-Speeding -Aggressive and/or reckless driving -Nighttime driving -Unlicensed and underage driving -Unsafe vehicles/equipment

Sadly, Teen drivers are less likely to wear seat belts Of all the fatal crashes recorded in 2021, almost half of teen drivers aged 16-19 were found not restrained While drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 were found to be speeding in 79 percent of singlevehicle crashes

MORGAN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ner of the park and started moving dirt last year until they reached the limit of dirt they could purchase At that point, work was limited due to the winter months, Vest said “As the weather opens back up and we ’ re able to get back to that, we ’ re going to turn that into parking It’ll be about an additional 50 spots,” he said “For average time it will be (enough), but for tournament play that will be questionable You just never know how many people’s going to turn out for tournaments, and if they have all four fields going at the same time, it can be questionable if it will be enough ”

Falkville’s South Park in Don Stisher’s District 3 is also getting an additional restroom, a third concession stand and two additional ballfields

“We did the drainage, cul-

COMMUNITY

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

become food aggressive

They might become dog aggressive They’re stronger than you think “It’s in that dog to not let go If it had been a golden retriever, a cocker spaniel, an Irish setter it would have

verts, and in the surrounding adjacent area we built a parking lot, undercut it, got it prepared for pavement, redid the entrance road to handle the future traffic in there,” he said “We had hoped to open it last year, but fall got us and the weather got us, and it got wet ” Stisher said the concession stand has been built “The fields still need (to be) dressed for play and get the sod on it and prepare it for ball activity They’ve got to do the fence and the lights and all that, pave the parking lot,” he said “We hope to get that done this coming summer ”

The Falkville Senior Center at South Park is the oldest senior center in the county and is slated to be replaced or renovated “The engineering firm is evaluating the current building,” Stisher said “We’re kind of at a budget point to where it may be feasible to tear the old building down instead of

probably bit and have been done, and that child could be alive today” While Tucker said he doesn’t cast blame on anyone in this tragedy, he urged the community to carefully investigate breeds and temperaments when adopting dogs

“Sadly, we spent more time today fielding questions about the dog breed

renovating and adding onto it due to cost estimates ”

Residents of Mount Zion Road in District 3 complained in May of a 16-inch drop-off from the road to the shoulder A teenager lost control, fell off the shoulder, and was thrown through her windshield A trucking company sued the commission over the alleged road and shoulder defects

The drop-off “is no longer there; we built those shoulders,” Stisher said “We’ve addressed every issue

than anything else,” Swafford said “You know, there’s two families that are shattered, a school system having to deal with someone that works there, and then you have teachers that have been touched by multiple people in these families that all had to wake up today and go deal with that”

All of Monday’s first

Parker named February

SuperStar Teacher by Morgan County Schools

Special to the Enquirer

Cotaco School’s very own Max Parker has been recognized as the February SuperStar Teacher by Morgan County Schools for his exceptional dedication and commitment to his students’ success.

Parker, a gifted specialist at Cotaco School, has consistently gone above and beyond to inspire and support his students, according to a post on the Morgan County Schools Facebook page.

Presented by Hubbard & Drake General -

Mechanical Contractors, Inc., represented by Brian Beidleman, along with Chamber staff, Parker was pleasantly surprised with two gift cards – one for his classroom and one for personal use. This gesture is a token of appreciation for his outstanding contributions to the education community “Throughout the year, Morgan County Schools will continue to shine a spotlight on educators like Parker, who not only make learning enjoyable but also actively contribute to the betterment of the community,” the post read.

of asphalt, the lanes, the shoulders, and resurfaced portions of it due to heavy truck traffic in that area and in that road Those shoulders are compliant We did it last July” A new event center in Cotaco in Greg Abercrombie’s District 4 is being planned He said bids went out Friday and on March 21 they will open the bids they have received “Once we get the bids open, then we as the commission will look at them,

responders will receive inhouse counseling support, according to Swafford Outside counseling agencies have also reached out to make their services available Keeping their focus on the affected families helps deputies process their emotions, Swafford said “That’s what helps us, you know? What about the pain they’re dealing

go over them, and decide

if that’s something that’s doable and then we move forward from there,” Abercrombie said

The center will have two full-sized basketball courts which can be turned into four volleyball courts, and a walking track Long said the center will be for the whole east side of the county, not just Cotaco “We’re making it large enough where we can host volleyball tournaments,” he said “When you ’ ve got four courts going at the same time, people are going to want to come in We’ll be able to host regional tournaments and stuff ”

The walking track will be on the second floor, Long said

The intersection of Alabama 55, Union Hill Road and Cotaco-Florette Road by Cotaco Junior High School is severely congested at the beginning and end of each school day, Abercrombie said About 18 months ago, he said, they purchased

with?” MCSO shared a link to Beau Clark’s GoFundMe page on Tuesday Skylar Isbell, a former student of Hailey Clark’s, said he had just babysat her three children a couple of weeks ago He said the hurt he feels for Clark and her family is unimaginable “Beau stood out to me the

2 acres of land at the intersection in hopes it will help with improvements

“It is a piece of the puzzle

Not saying we can do anything with it at this time,” Abercrombie said “Maybe something will open up that we might be able to buy some more land adjacent to that to help this intersection ” Abercrombie said they are currently making some improvements to the intersection “We’re building new pickup lanes,” he said “That will help a lot because that takes our people off (Alabama) 36 where they’ve been waiting on the side of the highway Now, this will put them on school property, and they will be out of harm’s way ”

The State of Morgan County Forum and breakfast was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Decatur Riverfront in Decatur and hosted by the DecaturMorgan County Chamber of Commerce

most; he was so joyful and full of energy, ” Isbell recalled “He came to the school often I remember a couple days after I babysat him, he was running all around the school I’m pretty sure I chased him into every room at Hartselle High School I would give anything to just hear his little giggles and laughter again”

Abercrombie Clark

CHURCH CALENDAR OF WORSHIP Renewing faith: Lessons from King Josiah

located on Bell Springs Road on Lacon Mountain, has services each Sunday at 10 a m for Sunday school and 11 a m and 6 p m for worship (except on third Sunday nights–no service) Wednesdays service is at 7 p m They are a nondenominational church, and the pastor is Bro James E Mills Jr

Living Hope Church of God in Christ, located at 901 McDaniel Street, has Sunday school at 10 a m , Sunday worship at 11:15 a m and Bible study Tuesdays at 7 p m

Priceville Church of Christ, located at 143 Robinson Rd in Priceville holds Sunday School at 9:00, Sunday morning worship at 10:00; Sunday evening worship at 5:00 and Wednesday night at 7:00 Call 256-431-4770 for more information

Lawrence Cove Baptist, 142 Pine Blurr Rd, Eva, AL 35621, holds Sunday School at 10 am and worship at 11 am with Pastor Steven Smith For more info contact 256-482-2247

Mt Nebo Baptist Church, 860 Mt Nebo Road, Falkville, holds Sunday school at 10 a m , worship at 11 a m and Sunday evening worship at 6 p m Wednesday evening Bible study is at 6 p m For more information, call 256476-5201

Rd in Hartselle, has Sunday school at 10 a m , worship at 11 a m and 5 p m , and Wednesday evening service at 6 p m Their doors are always open For more info, call Pastor Cliff Tomlinson 256-898-4198

Word Alive! Church and pastor Brian Culbreath have weekly radio shows on Sundays at 1:15 p m on 91 3 FM and Mon through Fri on 106 3 FM

Valhermoso Baptist Church, located at 7312 Hwy 36 E in Lacey’s Spring, holds Sunday school at 10 a m and worship services at 11 a m and 5 p m

Discipleship training and worship are held at 6 p m on Wed evening Children, youth and adult classes are at 6:30 p m

Gum Springs Baptist Church, located at 371 Gum Springs Road in Hartselle, has Sunday morning worship at 11 a m and Sunday School classes at 10 a m open for all ages Wednesday night prayer meetings at 6:30 p m

Faith Independent Church,

Flint Baptist Church holds worship services and childrens services at 9:30 a m on Sundays and a prayer service and children’s discipleship on Wednesdays at 6:30 p m The church building is located at 4119 Hwy 31 South in Decatur For more information, call (256) 353-7429

The Revival Tabernacle holds services Sundays at 10 a m and Wednesday evening at 7 p m The church is located at 1109 Main St W Pastors Jason and Ginger Thayer welcome everyone to attend

East Highland Baptist Church, 1030 Main Street E, holds Sunday School at 9:15 a m , worship at 10:30 a m , Wednesday Bible study at 10:00 a m and 6:30 p m The church also holds American Heritage Girls and Trail Life meetings Monday nights at 6 p m For more information, call 256-773-4157

Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church located at 721 Pickens St SW in Hartselle, invites

everyone to Sunday school at 9:15 a m and worship at 10:30 a m each Sunday The church office is open Monday and Wednesday from 9-11:30 a m Find the church on Facebook and visit the website at wwwcorhartselle org For more info, call 256-773-2121 or email corhartselle@gmail com

Pennylane Church of Christ, located at 615 Pennylane St SE, holds services at 11 a m each

Sunday and 6 p m Wednesday Minister William L Turney can be reached at 256-683-4660

Howard Dickinson serves the church as the assistant minister

The Falkville United Methodist Church holds services on Sunday at 11 a m with Sunday school at 10 a m The youth meet at 5 p m Sundays The public is welcome to attend

The church is located at 253 Main St E in Falkville

Piney Grove Christian Church hosts services each Sunday school at 10 a m , preaching at 11 a m , evening service at 6 p m and Wednesday night Bible study at 6 p m

First Baptist Church Falkville, located at 305 E Main Street in Falkville has the following service schedule: Sunday School, 9:15 a m Sunday Worship Service at 10:30 a m and no Sunday night service Wednesday Evening Services start at 6:00 p m Stephen Cannon is the pastor For more info, call 256784-5827, or log on to www fbcfalkville com

Lighthouse Baptist Church holds Sunday school at 10 a m and worship service at 11 a m and 5:30 p m on Sundays

Wednesday worship is at 6:30 p m The pastor is Bro John Reid

Liberty Baptist Church 1206 Lane Road NW, holds services each Sunday with Bible study at 9:45 a m , Bible preaching at 11 a m Wednesday night Bible Study at 6:30 p m

Walnut Grove Baptist Church is located at 622 South Bethel Road in Hartselle The pastor is John D Bain Sunday school is at 10 a m , worship service is at 11 a m and evening worship service is at 6 p m Wednesday service at 6 p m For more info, visit us on Facebook or log onto http:// walnutgrove baptistchurch weeblycom

First Baptist Church of Hartselle, 210 Woodland St NW offers worship services as follows: on Sunday - Con-

In 2 Kings 22, we are introduced to King Josiah, who ascended the throne at a mere age of 8 Imagine the journey he embarked on It’s a journey laden with valuable lessons, especially for those who may have strayed from their faith. Israel had veered off the path of righteousness, and it was Josiah who undertook the monumental task of renewing the covenant between the people and God.

Josiah initiated efforts to gather funds, inadvertently stumbling upon a significant discovery—a rediscovery of the book of the law (22:1-10). Upon hearing its words, Josiah was profoundly moved, his reaction marked by tearing his clothes (22:11) This reaction underscores his deep remorse upon realizing the extent

temporary Worship at 9am, Sunday School at 10am, and Traditional Worship at 11am; on Wednesday at 6pm – Bible Study, Student & Children’s activities Dr Clayton Speed is the pastor For more info call 256-773-5500 or visit fbchart org

McKendree Christian Fellowship, a non-denominational church located at 2795 Highway 55 W , Danville, holds services Sunday morning at 9:30 a m for Bible class, worship at 10:45 a m , Wednesday night potluck at 6:30 p m and Bible study at 7 p m

Pattillo Street Church of God holds Sunday school at 9:30 a m and praise and worship at 10:30 a m A Sunday evening service is held at 5 p m and a Wednesday Bible study at 7 p m , including youth activities The church is located at 1211 Pattillo St SW in Hartselle, and the pastor is Gary Phillips

New Song Family Church located at 4309 Highway 31 S, Decatur, AL 35603, has services on Sundays at 11:00 am Worship is led by Jan Byrd

Pleasant View Holy Church of Christ on Hogan Road in Falkville (Massey) offers services as follows: Sunday school, 10 a m ; worship, 11 a m ; Sunday night, 5 p m ; and Wed night Bible study, 6:30 p m For more info, call Pastor Rickie Ball at 256-462-

3715 or Reford and Cindy William at 256-462-3573

Pine Street Independent Baptist Church , 135 Pine St , Falkville, AL, invites everyone to Sunday morning worship at 11 am and evening service at 6 pm Wednesday night bible study 6 p.m For more info contact Pastor Rusty Hodges, 256-612-0266.

No Fences Cowboy Church of Morgan County located at 3544 West Lacon Road in Falkville, has the following service schedule: Sundays at 10:00 a m and Wednesday Adult and youth Bible studies at 6:30 p.m. Josh Sparkman is the pastor For more info, call 256-784-5448, or log on to www.nofencescc.com.

First Christian Church, in Hartselle invites you to join us on Sunday mornings for Sunday School at 9:00 am and Worship Service at 10:00 am. We have “No creed but Christ”, and partake of Holy Communion each Sunday We hold monthly Communion Services at Columbia Cottage, enjoy monthly Fellowship Suppers Nursery provided Our pastor is Mickey Johnson. Please visit our website to view our sermons www FCCHARTSELLE com We are located at 209 East Main Street. 256-773-6911.

Oak Ridge Missionary Baptist Church, 151 Hardy Rd (quarter mile off Vaughn Bridge Rd), services Sunday

school at 10am, Worship at 11am, Sunday night at 6pm and Wednesday night at 6pm. Everyone is welcome and Brother Jimmy Chenault is the pastor

First Independent Methodist Church, located at 3 Oxmore Flint Road in Decatur, holds worship at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays and Bible study at 6 p.m on Wednesdays. Hal Diagre is the church pastor

Fellowship Baptist Church on Setter Avenue in Decatur (just west of Cracker Barrel) holds Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m. Call 256-355-8414 for information.

Church of God Prophecy, 503 Stewart St in Hartselle, holds the following weekly services: Sunday school at 10 a m , worship service at 11 a m and Wednesday night service at 6 p m Pastor is Chris Bates

Serenity Baptist Church located at 1062 Perkins Wood Rd Hartselle welcomes a new interim pastor, Bro. Lynn Morgan Sunday School is held at 9:45 a.m. with Sunday Worship at 11 am

Forest Hill Baptist Church, 1947 Bluff City Rd, Somerville, AL 35670 invites everyone to old hymn singing KJV preaching each Sunday School morning at 10am, Church Service at 11am, Sunday night at 6pm and Wed night at 7pm For more information 256-754-5226

A special ‘thank you’ to the businesses that sponsor the devotional page

B&G OK Tire Store, Inc. Office: 256-773-7088 256-773-7099 1800 Hwy 31 SW Hartselle

Kelly Johnson

PRESTIGE CLEANING 256-566-6912 - Danville, Ala.

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112 Corsbie St. SW Hartselle, AL 35640 256-773-7312 Online Ordering & Delivery Available One Call One Source One Solution Scott Ha iso 205-799-6814 www.onesourceop.store

Staten’s LawnCare & landscaping (256) 616-5484 EST 2018 1210 US 31 Ste C, Hartselle 256-476-0080

Bookkeeping Taxes | Notary 256-203-4151 dixiebookkeeping.com catherine@ dixiebookkeeping.com

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All types of Roofs • Repairs • Replacements • Residential • Commercial SERVING NORTH ALABAMA Decatur: (256) 350-7720 • Huntsville: (256) 424-9186 Steven Burnett: (256) 337-3786 David Burnett: (256) 990-8281

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CATHERINE GEORGE Heating & Air Plumbing Electrical Full Restaurant Repair LED Lighting 256-248-9941 AL#22283 Celebrating 93 Years

Todd 2105 Beltline Road S W Decatur Alabama 35603 Locally owned and operated Dedicated to thoughtful professional service since 1972” Russ Beard 256-353-1620 SWEET HOME MOVING LLC CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE IN HOME ESTIMATE Make your move nice and sweet! Call or text us! (256) 516-4504

Falkville cancer patient in need of help with medical bills

At 37 years of age, you never expect to hear a diagnosis of colon cancer But that’s what happened to Lauren Holt, a young wife and mom Lauren went to the doctor for back pain that wasn’t getting better, to learn that she has a tumor in her spine and lungs that have spread from colon cancer Lauren went in for surgery to remove a large tumor in her colon recently, only to be thrown

another curveball when they discovered the tumor had metastasized to her uterus and pancreas Lauren is wife to Alex and the mom to three boys Lauren is not only a courageous fighter but also a sweet, kind and beautiful soul who dreams of a future filled with hope and possibilities Due to her health

condition and work limitations, she faces financial strain as she navigates through this challenging multi-phase journey This is where the financial hurdle begins Every Doctor visit for each specialty area, every test, every scan and every treatment results in significant out of pocket copays and expenses Currently approaching $1,000 a week (before treatments begin) out of pocket just in medical expenses This

is having a snowball effect on their personal expenses with her being out of work and not able to provide income The family also asks for prayers of healing and a sound course of action from Lauren’s doctors that helps to alleviate her pain and puts her on a course of action that will liminate the tumors from her body Every meal or donation, no matter the amount, brings Lauren one step closer to her dream of overcom-

The best banana bread

Constance Smith contact@cosmopolitan cornbread com

TToast pecans by placing them in a small, heavy skillet over medium high heat This should be a dry skillet with no oil Heat the pecans, stirring often, until they are fragrant and have turned a deeper shade of brown Be sure not to scorch them or they will be bitter Set them aside for now

In a bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon Set it aside

In a mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and sugars Beat until light and creamy Beat in the two eggs and the additional egg yolk, along with the vanilla Mix in the mashed bananas Add in half of the flour mixture and mix until combined

By Amy

Add in the sour cream, mixing until combined Add in the remaining flour mixture Mix until combined, making sure to scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula Fold in the toasted pecans Spread the batter in a standard 9x5-inch loaf pan that has been greased and floured or sprayed with baking spray – the spray that contains flour

Sprinkle the coarse turbinado/raw sugar over the top

ing cancer and continuing her future, filled with joy and love Your kindness and generosity will make a significant impact on Lauren’s life, providing her with the strength and resources she needs, to face the unknown challenges that lie ahead They thank everyone for their compassion and support They have an allergy restriction for peanuts The food will be for two adults and three kids and the drop off time is 5-6

p m There will be a multiple family benefit yard sale on March 15-16 across the street from Crestline Elementary School All proceeds will be given to the Holt family These are the donation sites for the family, https://mealtrain comoo6dw8 and the donation site is https:// gofund me/bcbc9d14 All donations will be greatly appreciated Also, if you prefer to donate via PayPal, Lauren’s username is @LCMH1013

From the library

The only room available is at a worn-out bed-and-breakfast run by a grouchy man named Evan Evan also a runs a fishing boat business. When a boating accident leaves Evan unconscious the guilt drives Mel to pretend to be his fiancé. They keep the ruse up in order to bring his family closer together and to try and save his family’s B&B Through their disdain for one another and forced proximity, they have more in common than they thought. And they fall for each other fast. Like Amy Lea’s other books, “The Catch” is full of humor and self-growth. Mel finds a true place of belonging A place to call home, like she hasn’t really had before. This book is a good reminder to put the phone down and just live in the moment. Check this fun

rom-com and many others like it out at the library

“Whistling Past the Graveyard”

By Susan Crandall

It’s 1963 in Mississippi and racial tensions are high as some want to integrate and others are still happy with segregation Starla, 9, is a spitfire who lives with a grandmother who merely tolerates her as Starla trie to control her “red rage ” that flares up when she sees injustice happening Her father works on an oil rig and comes home when he can Her mother has left her to go to Nashville to try to become a star When Starla lets her temper fly, she gets banned from attending the carnival fireworks show Fed up with how she is being treated

by her grandmother, Starla decides to run away to Nashville and live with her mother Along the deserted country backroad, Starla accepts a ride from a Eula, a black woman, traveling with a white baby Neither realizes how this road trip will change their lives forever

coast of Canada

South Morgan newS Martha Jackson

Hartselle woman models at New York Fashion Week

Special to the Enquirer

Dana Bradley, a model for Marc Defang at New York Fashion Week, graced the runway with two of his looks and his shoes at The Edison Ballroom on Feb 9-10 Her presence was so impactful that she was featured on a Times Square billboard Dana’s success led to invitations to model for him again in September at NY Fashion Week and in Milan

In addition to her modeling achievements, Dana, 46, from Hartselle, was recently crowned Mrs Alabama International She will compete for the title of Mrs International 2024 in Kingsport, Tenn , on July 26-27, 2024 Dana embarked on a transformative journey in 2020, overcoming health challenges and losing 154 pounds. Now, as Mrs. Alabama International, she aims to inspire others through her story and involvement in health events across the state. Dana, currently pursuing a personal training certification, has mentored over 100 individuals in health and fitness.

Reflecting on her journey, Dana emphasizes the importance of self-care and helping others reach their goals She believes in holistic wellness physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally Alongside her husband, Jerry, and their two teenage children, Dana enjoys leisure activities like writing, bowling, fishing and staying active

The Mrs International Pageant, focused on community service and women ’ s accomplishments, celebrates married women aged 21 to 56 Dana’s participation in this platform-based pageant highlights her dedication to empowering others and promoting wellness For more details, visit www mrsinternational com

Sheriff’s Academy open for registration

By

Staff Reports

The Morgan County Sheriff ’ s Office is extending an invitation to the community with a free Citizen’s Academy scheduled for March 13 from 8:30 a m to 5 p m This initiative aims to provide residents with an indepth understanding of the office’s operations and foster greater transparency between law enforcement and the public Participants can expect to delve into various aspects of law enforcement, including patrols, investigations, narcotics, corrections, court procedures, school resource programs and the special victims unit According to Mike Swafford, the public information officer for the Morgan County Sheriff s Office, the academy serves as an opportunity to showcase the what, how, and why behind the office s actions

(The course) is a way to bring people in and let them understand what we do, how we do it and why

we do it,” Swafford said “It also gives people a deep dive into how the sheriff ’ s office is funded and where the funding goes ”

Two department. Police said officer Lucas Ferrell and reserve officer Clayton Hensley pulled Toney over at 11 p.m. for a minor traffic violation near Alabama 67 and Interstate 65 The officers took Earl to Morgan County Jail, where he was being held in lieu of a $1 million bond. Toney

the academy will have the opportunity to contribute further by volunteering with jail operations at the Morgan County Sheriff ’ s Office Applications for the Citizen’s Academy can be found through the Morgan County Sheriff ’ s Office Facebook page, website or via the link: bit ly/MSCOAcademyRegistration On the water By Bayne Hughes For the Enquirer A Huntsville man is accused of trafficking cocaine and fentanyl and driving under the influence after his arrest Feb 24 by Priceville Police. Clifford Earl Toney, 54, is charged with trafficking cocaine, trafficking fentanyl, DUI and misdemeanor charges, according to the

Traffic stop leads to drug charges

Town of Falkville to hold 4th annual EggFest March 23

Miles homerun leads Tigers to victory

Coach Jake Miles congratulates

Meadows following his complete-game shutout in the Tigers’ 3-0 win over Winder-Barrow (GA) in the PG High School Showdown in Hoover

By Russell Frye

For the Enquirer

The Hartselle Tigers opened the 2024 Perfect Game High School Showdown in thrilling fashion with a 3-0 win over WinderBarrow (Ga.) With the game tied 0-0 in the top of the fifth, senior Cade Miles hit a three-run home run on the first pitch of his at-bat, driving in Andrew Coleman and Brody Leathers.

Miles finished with two hits and three RBI to lead the Tigers Peyton Steele had two hits, including a double Jo Williamson, Lawson Williams and Coleman each had a hit, while Williamson and Cole Miles each had a stolen base Jace Meadows pitched a complete-game shutout to pick up the win, allowing six hits while striking out three Only two Winder-Barrow (GA) runners reached second base.

Lady Tigers rebound to defeat Austin

By Russell Frye

For the Enquirer

The Hartselle Lady Tigers battled from behind on three separate occasions to pick up an 11-5 win over visiting Austin The Lady Black Bears led 1-0, 3-1 and 5-4 before the Lady Tigers scored the final seven runs of the game to seal the win

Katie Gillott led Hartselle (8-1) by going 4-for-4 with a homer and five RBI She also scored two runs

Kaelyn Jones finished 2-for4 with a triple, an RBI and three runs scored, while Brooklyn Stiles hit a solo home run and scored three runs

Blayne Godfrey picked up the win, allowing three earned runs while striking out six in 5 1 innings of work Tiger Howell pitched 1 2 innings of

relief, allowing no hits while striking out one Zyan Moore had a hit and two RBI to lead Austin (4-5) Claire Wright, Arden Breedlove and Khaliah Mason each had a hit and an RBI Hazel Green 4, Hartselle 3 Hazel Green scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to pick up a comefrom-behind 4-3 victory over Hartselle The Lady Tigers led 3-2 going into the seventh The loss was the first of the season for Hartselle Jones finished with a hit, an RBI and a run scored to lead the Lady Tigers Gillott added an RBI, while Riley Cate Wolf had a hit Stiles and Godfrey each scored a run Bailey Lawrence took the loss after allowing five hits and four unearned runs She struck out six batters

Priceville, Danville girls’ soccer has perfect week

By Russell Frye

For the Enquirer

Priceville continued their hot start to the season with a 3-0 win over county rival West Morgan. Lillyan Bloodworth scored two goals to lead the Priceville attack. Anna Katherine Hopkins added a goal and an assist.

Goalkeeper Tori Staats had four saves in the shutout.

Danville 3,

West Limestone 1

Danville scored two second-half goals to pull away for a 3-1 win over West Limestone. The Sherrill sisters, freshman Layla and junior Maddie, each scored a goal, with Layla adding an assist. Brylee Terry added a goal and an assist, while Josie Bailey had an assist.

Danville 6, Elkmont 2

The Lady Hawks scored five first-half goals in their 6-2 win over Elkmont. Layla Sherrill led the way with five goals and an assist, while her sister Maddie had a goal and an assist. Terry added an assist. Goalkeeper Reyes had 15 saves in the win.

By Russell Frye

For the Enquirer

The Danville Hawks picked up two convincing wins last week, while Priceville spilt a pair with New Hope

Danville 11, Colbert Heights 1

Danville raced past visiting Colbert Heights and picked up an 11-1 victory Sawyer Tapscott led the Hawks with three RBI and a hit Reece Cowart and Avery Brewer each had a hit and two RBI, while Kason Jeffries

finished with two hits and an RBI Eli Coker pitched four innings to pick up the win, allowing a run on one hit while striking out four Danville 10, East Lawrence 0

Danville picked a 10-0 win over East Lawrence behind the pitching of Avery Brewer He pitched a five-inning completegame shutout to earn the win He allowed three hits and struck out three Coker led the Hawks offense

with three hits and four RBI Aiden Holiday finished with two hits, two RBI and two runs scored, while Tapscott added two hits and an RBI Priceville 6, New Hope 4

The Bulldogs bounced back from their loss earlier in the week to defeat New Hope 6-4 to earn a split

ENQUIRER PHOTO BY JIM MEADOWS

Andrew Coleman (11) and Brody Leathers (22) congratulate Cade Miles after his 5th-inning three-run home run in the Tigers’ 3-0 win over Winder-Barrow (GA) in the PG High School Showdown in Hoover

ENQUIRER PHOTO BY JIM MEADOWS

pitcher Jace

ENQUIRER PHOTO BY JIM MEADOWS

Kaelyn Jones at the plate in the Austin game.

ENQUIRER PHOTO BY JIM MEADOWS

Priceville’s Lillyan Bloodworth fires a shot on goal in the recent Morgan County Tournament.

By

Russell Frye

For the Enquirer

The Priceville Lady Bulldogs opened area play with an 11-2 victory over visiting Hanceville last Thursday The Lady Bulldogs had to come from behind to get the win after trailing 2-1 heading into the bottom of the third inning Priceville scored one in the third, four in the fourth and five in the fifth to pull away for the win Kelsey Green led Priceville at the plate and in the

circle She finished 3-of-4 with two home runs and six RBI, while picking up the win after pitching four innings, allowing two runs on three hits, while striking out nine Katee King, Madalynne Black and Bailey Smyth each had two hits, while Wrozlie Barnett had a hit, two runs scored and two RBI along with a stolen base

Elizabeth Murphy

pitched three shutout innings of relief, allowing no hits while striking out seven

Priceville 17, Arab 7

also pitched two innings of relief, allowing two unearned runs on four hits

Brewer 8, New Hope 4

Priceville erupted for 16 runs over the final three innings to come from a 5-1 deficit in their 17-7 win over Arab The Lady Bulldogs combined for four home runs, three doubles and a triple in the victory Black led the Lady Bulldogs by going 3-of-4 with two home runs and six RBI She also picked up the win after pitching four innings and allowing five runs on seven hits while striking out two Darby Thigpen was 2-of3, including a triple, with four RBI and two runs scored Ling anf Murphy each had a home run and three RBI Murphy

The Lady Patriots doubled up New Hope in their 8-4 win last Tuesday Cadence Lott led the way with three hits, including a double, and an RBI Breia Rusk and Keylyn Stapler each had two hits and an RBI each, while Ava Walls added a hit and an RBI Gracie Lawrence picked up the win after pitching five innings, allowing one run on five hits with three strikeouts Brewer 3, Belgreen 2 Brrewer defeated Belgree 3-2 on a walk-off double by Walls in the bottom of

the seventh inning Her hit drove home Lott and Lawrence for the game winning runs Walls finished 2-for-4 with three RBI. Rusk also finished 2-for-4 with a double and run scored Lawrence picked up the win with four innings of scoreless relief, striking out seven Danville 9, Hatton 3 The Lady Hawks picked up a 9-3 road victory over the defending 2A state champion Hatton last Thursday Danville put the game away early, scoring eight runs in the second inning Adily Alberti led Danville with four hits and an RBI, while Lacy had two doubles and two RBI

Kirstyn Robinson added two hits and an RBI McKinley McCaghren picked up her fifth win of the season, allowing three runs on five hits in seven innings, while striking out 10

Danville 4, Grissom 1 McCaghren pitched the Lady Hawks to a 4-1 victory over 7A Grissom last Monday She allowed one run on five hits, while striking out 11 Lady Tigers She also had three hits to lead Danville at the plate

Emily Lacy had a hit, two RBI and a run scored, while Aubrey Reed added a hit and an RBI Guest, Tidwell and Karsyn Echols each scored a run

Home run!

(19) TOWNS EDGE SUBDIVISION,ADDITION NO (1) DECATUR ALABAMAAS SHOWN BYMAPOR

PLATOF SAIDADDITION OF FILEAND OF RECORD IN MAPBOOK 2 PAGE 89 IN THE OFFICE OFTHE JUDGE OF PROBATE OF

APPROVED this 14th day of February 2024

/s/

S

STATE OFALABAMA IN THE PROBATE COURT MORGAN COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF RANDYPEWITT TO PROBATE THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF DOROTHYJ PEWITTAKA DOROTHYJANE PEWIT, DECEASED

TO: UNKNOWN HEIRS, UNKNOWN WHEREABOUTS OF NEALPEWITT DECEASED SON OF DOROTHYJ PEWITT, DECEASED AND TOALLUNKNOWN HEIRSAT LAWAND NEXT OF KIN, IFANYTHERE BE, WHETHER THEYBE MINORS OR PERSON OF UNSOUND MIND

YOU WILLTAKE NOTICE that on the 2nd day of February, 2024 Randy Pewitt presented to the Court an instrument in writing purporting to be the Last Will andTestament of Dorothy J Pewitt aka Dorothy Jane Pewitt DECEASED and also filed therewith her petition, in writing, praying for order of the Court of admitting said instrument to probate as the Last Will andTestament of Dorothy J Pewitt aka Dorothy Jane Pewitt DECEASED and that the 30th day ofApril, 2024, at 2:00 Oclock PM is appointed as a day and time for hearing said petition at which time you can appear and contest, if you see proper Given under my hand this the 22nd day of February, 2024 /s/ Greg Cain Judge of Probate 02/28/24, 03/06/24, 03/13/24 ADID 585068

STATE OFALABAMA IN THE PROBATE COURT MORGAN COUNTY

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF KAREN LYNN KELSO TO PROBATE THE LAST WILLAND TESTAMENT OF DORIS K STANFORD DECEASED TO: Timothy Paul Senn LKA8112

N Mulberry St Tampa FL 33604, whereabouts unknown, Michael D Senn 133 Merion Dr, Lexington, SC 29073, Michelle R Senn 1544 Victory St Columbia SC 29204 and the possible descendants of William J Senn whereabouts unknown

ANDTOALLUNKNOWN HEIRSATLAWAND NEXTOF KIN, IFANYTHERE BE, WHETHERTHEYBE MINORS OR PERSON OF UNSOUND MIND

YOU WILLTAKE NOTICE that on the 2nd day of February 2024 presented to the Court an instrument in writing purporting to be the Last Will andTestament of DORIS K STANFORD, deceased and also filed therewith their petition in writing praying for order of the Court of admitting said instrument to probate as the Last Will andTestament of DORIS K STANFORD deceased, and that the 18th day ofApril 2024 at 10:00 o’clock AM was appointed as a day and time for hearing said petition at which time you can appear and contest if you see proper

Given under my hand this the 22nd day of February 2024 /s/ Greg Cain Judge of Probate 02/28/24 03/06/24 03/13/24

ADID 585226

STATE OFALABAMA IN THE PROBATE COURT MORGAN COUNTY

INTHE MATTER OFTHE PETITION OF CHRISTINE Z SURBER TO PROBATETHE LASTWILLANDTESTAMENT OF JAMES D SURBER DECEASED

TO: UNKNOWN WHEREABOUTS OF KELLI RENEE SURBER DAUGHTER OF JAMES D SURBER, DECEASED

ANDTOALLUNKNOWN HEIRSATLAWAND NEXTOF

KIN, IFANYTHERE BE, WHETHERTHEYBE MINORS OR PERSON OF UNSOUND MIND

YOU WILLTAKE NOTICE that on the 7th day of February

2024, CHRISTINE Z SURBER, presented to the Court an instrument in writing purporting to be the Last Will andTestament of JAMES D SURBER, DECEASED and also filed therewith her petition in writing praying for order of the Court of admitting said instrument to probate as the Last Will andTestament of JAMES D SURBER DECEASED, and that the 21st day of May 2024 at 1:00 O’clock PM is appointed as a day and time for hearing said petition at which time you can appear and contest if you see proper

Given under my hand this the

29th day of February 2024

/s/ Cain Greg Judge of Probate 03/06/24, 03/13/24, 03/20/24

ADID 586204

STATE OFALABAMA IN THE PROBATE COURT MORGAN COUNTY

INTHE MATTER OFTHE PETITION OF CLYDE J WHISMAN TO PROBATETHE LASTWILL ANDTESTAMENTOF GRIFFIN

TODD SMITH DECEASED

TO: UNKNOWN FATHERS, WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN

ANDTOALLUNKNOWN HEIRSATLAWAND NEXTOF

KIN IFANYTHERE BE WHETHERTHEYBE MINORS OR PERSON OF UNSOUND MIND

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STATE OFALABAMA

PROBATE COURT MORGAN COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF JAMESANDREW BOWMANAND MARYCAROLYN BOWMAN TO CHANGE THE NAME OF PRESTONANDREW BENNETT,AMINOR NOTICETO:

Sean Bennett – 150 County Road 316Trinity,AL35673 and Unknown Fathers Unknown Whereabouts YOU WILLTAKE NOTICETHAT JAMESANDREW BOWMAN AND MARYCAROLYN BOWMAN custodians of said minor filed a petition on January