SHINING THE LIGHT ON SELMA AND DALLAS COUNTY, ALABAMA August 22, 2019 | Volume 4, Issue 30
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Interim Fire Chief pushes to hire more firefighters, reopen closed station BY TODD PRATER Selma Sun Staff The city of Selma’s money troubles have led to a firefighter shortage and the closing of one of Selma’s fire stations. But the interim fire chief isn’t waiting for the hiring of a permanent chief to do something about it. In the last few weeks, Selma’s interim Fire Chief Chris Graham has hired five new recruits that are in training to become firefighters, and his goal is to add enough firefighters to reopen Station Five, located on Woodrow Avenue. Right now, there are 20 firefighters making up three shifts. That’s seven or eight per shift, which Graham said needs to be 10 per 24-hour shift. The challenge facing Graham is a lack of money. He said he needs to be able to offer more competitive pay. One of the reasons the fire department is low on staff is so many have left for higher-paying jobs elsewhere. But with the five new guys he said he wants to show some positivity and let everyone know they are pushing forward to hire more people. To bring the department closer to full capacity, Graham has asked the City Council to include enough money in the next budget to hire and train more recruits. Budget season usually starts in August. Graham said he is actively searching for more people to hire. Graham said Selma is home for him. He has been here in the fire service for 23 years and loves it here, so he said he is
doing what he can to make the Selma Fire Department the best it can be. Training new firefighters is a process, he said. “When they are not in physical training, they are learning the ropes of the department,” Graham said, which translates to learning the rules and regulations of the department and training with the tools and equipment on trucks. Graham said the new recruits will go to a 10-week school starting Sept. 16 where they learn to be firemen. That school will be at the regional training center in Prattville. Graham is adamant about instilling a positive attitude in the new recruits. Graham teaches them to work as team players “because that is what the fire department is all about, being a team player. We have to work as a team when we start getting into incidents that involve emergency operations.” Each firefighter has a job and a responsibility they must carry out in an emergency situation, he said, and these jobs are what the new recruits are learning. The five new recruits are: Johnathan Johnson from Montgomery said he has always wanted to be a firefighter. He loves the camaraderie of the Selma Fire Department. “It’s like a big family. Everyone cuts up and jokes, but when it’s time to work, they get down to business.” Brandon Taylor Warren from Selma wants to be a fire investigator. He said the sky is the limit; you can move up if you work at it. He said he plans to grow his career in his hometown.
Tarrence Lee from Lowndes County said he likes helping people and has always wanted to be a firefighter. He said he heard Selma needed help, so he applied. As for career advancement: “wherever God takes me.” Joseph Brown from Hope Hull has a friend in the Selma Department who told him there were openings. He wanted to be a firefighter and loves this kind of work, so he decided to start a career here in Selma. Also hired is Deskendre Blake from Selma who also likes the work and said he wants to be a firefighter. Not a new hire, but an experienced longtime member of the Selma Fire Department is Lt. Walter Daily who has been in the department for 13 years. He comes from a family of emergency responders. His mother and brother both worked for local ambulance services. His mom is an Emergency Medical Technician, his father is also an EMT and is Dallas County Coroner Allen Daily. Daily said his second cousin, Buck Pugh, was the fire chief years ago. Graham also hired two certified experienced firefighters. Dalton Gallop came on July 9 and Tevin Smith was rehired June 18. Anyone interested in becoming a firefighter can go to the Alabama Fire College website. All the details about the process of becoming a firefighter, including all details about the physical exam and testing, can be found on the site. https:// www.alabamafirecollege.org/
Brandon Taylor Warren, Tarrence Lee, Deskendrick Blake, Johnathan Johnson, Joseph Brown, Lt. Walter Daily and acting Fire Chief Chris Graham.
Interim Fire Chief Chris Graham takes a call.
Selma Sun adds 7 news racks for increased distribution around Dallas County BY CINDY FISHER Selma Sun Staff The Selma Sun’s owner, Kingfisher Media LLC, is celebrating its one-year anniversary of ownership by placing seven bright blue news racks around Selma and Dallas County. The racks will give our readers easier access to the Selma Sun’s engaging, forward-thinking print content that “Shines the Light on Selma and Dallas County” each week. The best way to keep up with what's going on in Selma and Dallas County is to get the Selma Sun delivered to your home every Thursday for only $32 a year. Go to selmasun.com/subscribe. Print editions will cost 75 cents. Here is where you can find them: Vasser’s Mini Mart, 1900 W. Dallas Ave. Crossroads Exxon, 2530 US Hwy 80 W Vaughan Regional Medical Center, 1015 Medical Center Parkway Carter Drug, 133 Broad St. Mark’s Mart, 1022 Co. Rd. 44 Dave’s Market, 5514 Alabama 22, Valley Grande
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August 22, 2019
SELMA SUN
COMMUNITY Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce promotes historic sites tours BY FRED GUARINO Selma Sun Staff Thirty-two tour operators were recently introduced to tourism opportunities in Selma and Dallas County. On Aug. 14, in cooperation with the Alabama Tourism Department and the Alabama Chamber of Commerce, “On Sacred Ground,” a familiarization tour through the Student Tourism Association, was held. The tour operators toured the Selma Interpretative Center and Brown Chapel before lunch at White-Force Cottage before moving on to Montgomery. “The purpose of the tour was for tour operators to become familiar with attractions to plan upcoming student educational tours,” said Sheryl Smedley, executive director of the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce. She said the event was part of a three-day tour of Alabama including Birmingham, Selma, Montgomery, Tuskegee and Montevallo. On July 30, the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce and Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce also hosted a familiarization tour for 50 operators from the Alabama and Georgia Motor Coach Association. The tour operators saw Sturdivant Hall, one of the South’s most beautiful Greek Revival antebellum homes; the Jackson House Museum; Selma University; Tabernacle Baptist Church; the historic Brown Chapel AME Church; the Selma Interpretive Center, operated by the National Park Service and focused on the Selma to Montgomery Trail;
Historian Gary Anderson gives a tour during the annual Walking Tours last spring. and the National Voting Rights Museum regarding the struggle for voting rights. According to the Jackson Foundation and Museum,
the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and civilrightstrail.com, the Jackson House became the official residence for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ambassador
Weed & Seed meets in Ward 8 on Thursday BY CINDY FISHER Selma Sun Staff The Weed & Seed initiative for Selma will meet for Ward 8 on Thursday at Brown Chapel AME on MLK. The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. and is open to the public, specifically for those who live, work,
represent and/or are affected in that Ward, such as businesses, schools, churches, etc. Weed & Seed leaders have been making the rounds in Selma to meet with residents in each Ward and talk about how they can help weed out crime and seed improvements at the grassroots level in their part of Selma.
They have met in Wards 1, 6 and 7 so far. Maggie Drake-Peterson, a retired circuit court judge, Detroit police sergeant and nurse, serves as executive director of the Weed and Seed committee that is made up of about 30 community and business leaders.
Andrew J. Young, Dr. Ralph Bunche and others planning the Selma to Montgomery march. Tabernacle was the site of the first mass meeting of the Voting
News Racks Valley Grande Grocery, 7033 Alabama 22, Valley Grande The Selma Sun wants to thank these businesses for allowing us to place our racks in front of their busy locations and give residents a chance to read our newspaper. Thank you for supporting the Selma Sun! The Selma Sun also posts stories throughout the day online at SelmaSun.com that is linked on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, so follow us to stay in-the-know about your town.
Revitalizing Ward 8, True East Selma plans Family Fest event Sept. 7 BY FRED GUARINO Selma Sun Staff Selma’s Eighth Ward Family Fest is set for 11 a.m. Sept 7 at East Selma Park on Division Street. The free event with fun for all ages includes food, bounce houses, games, resources, health and wellness vendors with lots of freebies and is sponsored by the True East Selma Youth & Community Development Collaboration. Toby Blythe Johnson, director and spokesperson for True East Selma, said the organization is trying to revitalize the neighborhood around East Selma Park and provide free recreation for kids and older people, as well. Johnson said the Fun Family Fest is “just a way
for us to let everybody in the neighborhood know, ‘hey, we’re here, we’re trying to do something, we need your input, we need your help.’” She said there will be people conducting surveys asking people, “What do you see for your neighborhood? What do you want to see for your neighborhood?” She said David Lakes and Nakia Johnson is running a basketball clinic for boys and girls, teaching the fundamentals of the sport. She said Derek Mitchell and Darrell Walker will be teaching the fundamentals of football to help kids be ready when they play organized sports in school. And she said there will also be softball coaching by Katilynn Blythe and Akila Scott.
Johnson said the idea is to provide recreation for East Selma where she grew up. But Johnson said there is also a plan to get the swimming pool in the area back up and in working condition because this was the first summer in several years, probably since she’s been alive that the pool was not open for kids. She said the group wants to raise money, have certified lifeguards, teach swimming lessons, add on to playground areas, keep the grass cut and keep it clean. More she said her daughter will teach children art with sketching and painting. For more information, call Johnson at 334-505-7365 or Danisha Jackson at 334-4193385.
Dallas County Voters League that invited Dr. King to Selma in 1964. Brown Chapel AME Church was a starting point for the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965.
Selma and Dallas County Historic Preservation Society salad luncheon fundraiser set for Aug. 28 BY FRED GUARINO Selma Sun Staff
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Rights Movement. And members including the Rev. John D. Hunter and Marie Foster were two of the “Courageous Eight,” the steering committee for the
The Selma and Dallas County Historic Preservation Society will host its “Salad Luncheon” fundraiser at the Cornerstone Presbyterian Church Nutrition Center on Aug. 28 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Historic Preservation Society is a nonprofit organization holding the fundraiser to help with its many projects. Tickets are $10 each, and the organization hopes to sell 300 tickets. “We’ve saved a number of historic properties,” said Event Chair Jewell Williamson. “We purchase and restore some of these properties, we maintain them, save them from demolition and sometimes secure a new owner.” Williamson said the Historic Preservation Society purchased and restored the original YMCA on Broad Street, provides the maintenance and upkeep of Kenan’s Mill, the maintenance and upkeep of the Plattenburg
House, the restoration and upkeep of Heritage Village, the restoration and upkeep of Tremont High School and the Selma Ordnance and Naval Foundry. Among structures in the Heritage Village adjacent to Sturdivant Hall are the Calhoun Law Office, the McKinnon-Riggs Doctor’s Office, Siegel Servants’ Quarters, Pigeon Cote and Minnie Sue’s Cottage. Williamson said the Historic Preservation Society gave the city of Selma $50,000 for Phoenix Park and provided help with original restoration of the St. James Hotel. She said the Historic Preservation Society hopes to secure a buyer for the original YMCA, which she said the people of Selma raised the money to build in the 1870s. She said, “Housewives sold eggs and gave the money for that. We have a wonderful presentation on that.” Williamson said the Tremont High School is an ongoing project. And she said of all projects by
the Historic Preservation Society, “Of course all of them have to have upkeep whether it be maintenance and grounds.” The event set for Aug. 28 is just one of the Selma and Dallas County Historic Preservation Society’s fundraising events. Officers of the nonprofit organization include President Greg Bjelke, Immediate Past President Elise Blackwell, First Vice President Elect B.J. Smothers, Second Vice president (in charge of membership) Brenda Smothers, Third Vice president (in charge of meetings) Gery Anderson, Secretary Marsha Carmichael and Treasurer Candi Duncan. Members at large with staggered terms include: Charles Moss, Chellette Henderson, David Tipmore, Jewell Williamson, Anna Belle Bone, Barbara Burns, Peggy Brown, Sylvia Smith, Todd Brady, Stacey Bennett, Cynthia Hamerlee, Yolanda Speirs, Linda Derry, Sheryl Smedley, Tina Lancaster, Miah Jackson and Terry Rogers.
Selma Art Guild offers card making, calligraphy workshop BY FRED GUARINO Selma Sun Staff A Card Making and Calligraphy Workshop will be held at the Selma Art Guild Gallery located at 508 Selma Ave. on Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. According to the Selma Art Guild, participants will learn to make greeting cards for various occasions using one or more techniques including collage, two folding and quilting. No prior calligraphy knowledge is required; all letters used will be taught in the introduction. And handouts
will be provided to assist in practice writing. Maria Hager-Freedman, the instructor, studied art and history at the University of Mainz (Germany). She completed her teacher training at Bad Kreuznach and taught art in the United States at the Northwestern State University of Louisiana and Auburn University Montgomery, Art Education at Illinois Wesleyan University, German at Illinois Wesleyan University and Illinois State University. And she taught art and German at three private
schools – Taylor Road Academy, Three Rivers Academy and Success United Academy in Montgomery. The Selma Art Guild was started in the 1970s by local artists to promote art and provide opportunities for artists. It is a nonprofit organization. The gallery is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 12 to 4 p.m. There is a $65 charge with some materials provided for Card Making and Calligraphy Workshop. For more information contact Jo Taylor at jotaylor5640@gmail.com.
SELMA SUN
August 22, 2019
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COMMUNITY Restaurant Week observed in Selma BY FRED GUARINO Selma Sun Staff Alabama Restaurant Week, Aug. 16 through Sunday Aug. 25, is underway in Selma and the state of Alabama featuring many of Selma’s favorite restaurants. “The purpose of the annual event is to recognize locally owned food service businesses for their investment into our community,” said Sheryl Smedley, executive director for the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Information. “It's important to recognize our local businesses here in Selma, and that's including restaurants,” said Olivia Rhodes, destination/marking coordinator for the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism
Information. “We have a lot of hard workers that sacrifice a lot to keep their businesses open and to help provide for our community. Restaurant Week is not only helping promote these restaurants in our town, but to say thank you to our favorite places to eat.” Rhodes said restaurants recognized each day of the week include: Golden Ranch BBQ & Grill, Aug. 16; Taco Bell, Aug. 17; Zaxby’s, Aug. 18: Mexican Restaurants – El Ranchero, Mi Tenampa, and Valley Grande Mexican Grill, Aug. 19: The Steak Pit, Aug. 20; McDonald’s, Aug. 21; Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) Aug. 22; Pizza places – Domino’s, Little Caesar’s and Pizza Hut, Aug. 23; Tally-Ho Restaurant, Aug. 24; and Jack’s, Aug. 25.
Restaurant Week in Selma includes several downtown.
In Kids Baking Championship, Morgan Academy’s Brooke Waters survives doughnut cake challenge BY FRED GUARINO Selma Sun Staff
Morgan Academy’s Brooke Waters survives third round of the Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship.
Morgan Academy sixth grader Brooke Waters survived the Doughnut Cake Challenge in the third round of the Food Network's Kids Baking Championship. In the Aug. 19 episode, Valerie Bertinelli and Duff Goldman asked the seven surviving bakers to each make a "giant doughnut cake" in two hours. And
each baker had to pick a doughnut from a counter to determine the flavor of their individual doughnut cakes. Brooke drew cinnamon crumb and did a cinnamon cheer with Goldman. Then using Bundt cake pans, she and the other bakers all made cakes in the flavors they drew and decorated them to look like oversized doughnuts. Brooke said she wanted blueberry, but said she
was excited that she got cinnamon crumb because she could use her cinnamon crumb coffee cake recipe. She also said she planned to make a cinnamon glaze with a toasted pecan and cinnamon streusel to go on top. “I’m a small-town girl from the South, and we love pecans,” Brooke said. “So, I’m thinking this is going to be delicious.”
But then the bakers were given a “twist” to add coffee flavor to their doughnut cakes. So, Brook made a simple syrup with instant coffee, which she said would make her cake moist. Brooke next dripped glaze over her doughnut cake and put the cinnamon pecan streusel on top with crushed chocolate covered expresso beans sprinkled just to
make sure the judge’s got enough coffee flavor. Bertinelli told Brooke, “I think the presentation looks beautiful” and said her doughnut cake looked just like the doughnut she was assigned. Goldman said, “Man that’s good. The texture of your cake is perfect, so tender, so soft. And it’s just crispy enough on the outside.” And Bertinelli added, “The cinnamon is
just so beautiful, it’s the perfect amount.” But she and Goldman concluded that the cinnamon buried the coffee flavor. After the judging was done, however, Brooke was among those who were told, “You’re all safe,” and lives once again to fight another day in the Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship. The next episode will air Aug. 26 at 8 p.m.
Help design a new vision for downtown Selma BY FRED GUARINO Selma Sun Staff If you want to be a part of shaping the future of Selma, today is your chance. A team of design professionals is asking the public to help them understand the assets of the community and the things that make downtown Selma a special place during a community “come and go” gathering today, Thursday from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the Carneal Building
(Arts Revive) at 3 Church St., Selma. Selma Redevelopment Authority Chairman Juanda Maxwell said the SRA and the city of Selma initiated a process with Design Alabama, a non-profit organization, to help create and enhance a sense of place for the city of Selma through “the collaboration of the design arts.” She said the “come and go” set for today is a first step in the process.
Maxell said Design Alabama is asking about history, native sons and daughters and businesses and industry. “They want to know your dreams and aspirations for our community,” Maxwell said. Maxwell said Design Alabama will incorporate the information they receive into their ideas and recommendations as “they seek out those things that can build prosperity and the highest quality of life in Selma.”
“We at the SRA are looking forward to working with Design Alabama, the city of Selma and the citizens of Selma to paint a vision of the uniqueness of our great city for the downtown,” Maxwell said. Experts helping to shape the vision for Selma include architects, a city planner, a landscape architect, historic preservation assistant and a marketing/ branding graphic designer. “We want to hear your thoughts and dreams of what the community of Selma wants for downtown Selma,” Maxwell said.
The SRA received a grant from Design Alabama to bring architects, graphic designers and landscape architects to propose ideas to enhance the downtown corridor. A narrative for Selma was discussed at a recent meeting with Design Alabama. That narrative stated: “Our river offers a wonderful recreational opportunity for recreation and commerce alike. We are a supportive environment for entrepreneurship. We offer affordable and friendly neighborhoods where Southern hospitality is alive and well. Selma is unique in that it inspires a calling for the greater
good locally and globally. Selma is a place that changes you.” Maxwell said the narrative not only speaks about the past, in that Selma is a “historically significant” and “wonderful place,” but she said it speaks to the fact “we also are stuck, and we also need to move forward.” She said it also asks, “How do we move forward in unity?” The SRA Board of Directors includes Maxwell, chairman; Billy Young, vice chairman; Martha Lockett, secretary; Johnny Moss III, treasurer; Harold Speir; Clint Wilkinson and Johnny Moss.
Selma among best driving cities in Alabama, says study BY NATHAN PREWETT Selma Sun Staff Selma is among the best driving cities, according to a study by QuoteWizard Insurance. The study based its findings on insurance quotes from more than 91,000 driv-
ers in Alabama and ranked 50 cities. Out of 25 cities in the “best” category, Selma ranked at number three, right behind Troy with Mountain Brook being the top city. “A similar sized city to Troy, Selma benefits from good drivers and little outside traf-
fic passing through town,” the study said. “Dallas county did have 28.05 road fatalities per 100,000 people. Well above the state average.” In the “worst” category Trussville was ranked No. 1, with Millbrook and Alabaster being number two and three respectively.
WHEN YOU NEED TO COOL THINGS OFF AT HOME Publisher:
Contributors:
Cindy Fisher
Todd Prater Chico Cleveland Nathan Prewett
Specializing in Residential and Commercial Installation
Fred Guarino Copyright 2019. All rights reserved. Any reproduction in whole or part other than for personal use is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher Kingfisher Media LLC The Selma Sun is a news source for the community of Selma and Dallas County, Alabama. Information gathered for coverage of Selma-Dallas County is from sources that are considered reliable, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Issues with accuracy or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at publisher@selmasun.com. Email news tips to news@selmasun.com The Selma Sun (USPS) is published weekly for $26 per year by Kingfisher Media, LLC, 711 Alabama Avenue, Selma, AL 36701. Periodicals postage (USPS #21110) at Selma, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Selma Sun, PO Box 476, Selma, AL 36702-0476. Published by: Kingfisher Media LLC 711 Alabama Ave. Selma, AL 36701 Stay up-to-date on Selma News at SelmaSun.com Subscribe for only $26 a year at selmasun.com/about
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August 22, 2019
SELMA SUN
VOICES The story of Floyd Mann BY STEVE FLOWERS One of the legendary figures in Alabama political lore is Floyd Mann. Colonel Mann was Public Safety Director for two governors. His lifetime friend, John Patterson, made him his Public Safety Director while he was governor, 1958-1962 and Gov. Albert Brewer chose Colonel Mann to be his Director while he was governor, 1968-1970. The Public Safety Director in those days was referred to as the Head of the State Troopers. It was during the Patterson administration that Mann made his mark in Alabama history. The hot winds of segregation began to blow after the Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954. They had reached a crescendo inferno in the Heart of Dixie by 1958. There were buses of freedom riders who bravely traveled to Alabama and other Deep South states advocating for integration in the state and region. They first arrived in Anniston and were met by a horde of Calhoun County Kluxers and would have been beaten to death if they had not hurriedly escaped before even departing their bus. The state troopers and every police system in the state were alerted that the Freedom Riders narrowly avoided death and that their bus was headed to
Montgomery and that they needed protection. Not surprisingly, Gov. Patterson and all the white law enforcement communities ignored the plea for help and security. When the Freedom Riders arrived at the old Greyhound Bus Station behind the Federal Court House in Montgomery, they were met and surrounded by 50 to 75 white citizens who had baseball bats ready to welcome the Freedom Riders to the Cradle of the Confederacy. There was not one Montgomery policeman anywhere in sight. Colonel Mann got word of the scenario. He immediately jumped into the Head of Public Safety Trooper car and drove 90 miles an hour down Dexter Avenue with his siren blaring. He wheeled into the parking lot and pulled his revolver out of his gun belt and placed it into the temple of the biggest, meanest, slicked backed, undershirted, baseball bat holder who was waiting at the door of the bus for the Freedom Riders. He said, “I’ll give ya folks five minutes to all clear out of here or I’ll start shooting with this fellow and we will take names later for families.” Mann saved about a dozen Freedom Riders lives that day. They decided to not even exit their bus and to get the hell out of Alabama. Let me share a great story that Colonel Mann personally shared with me. Colonel Mann was destined to be a legendary lawman. He became Chief of Police of Opelika at an amazingly young age. Opelika is not a small town and he was only 30. One day, one of his officers approached him and said, “Chief we’ve got a problem you need to know about.” He continued, “You know officer ‘Big Un’? About midnight every Saturday night he comes
into the station with some little scrawny hobo he has arrested down at the depot. They are always badly beaten up. Big Un weighs about 285 pounds and I just don’t believe these hobos are fool enough to give him any resistance. Big Un is beating these folks up for the fun of it.” Mann agreed that if that was happening he would handle it. The following Saturday night about 30 minutes before the freight train was due in, Mann drove down near the railroad station, parked his car some distance away and then hid in the shadows. Sure enough, minutes before the train was to arrive, a police car pulled up and out stepped Big Un with his billy club in his hand. When the train came to a stop, Big Un began walking alongside the freight cars, sliding the doors open looking for hobos. He opened a door and lying right in front of him was a man. Big Un slapped him across the head and ordered him out of the car. The hobo turned ever so slowly and as he did, he laid the barrel of a pistol between the eyes of Big Un. The policeman froze in terror. “Mr. Policeman the hobo said slowly, I’ve got a momma in heaven, a papa in hell, and a sick sister in Columbus, Georgia. I aim to see one of them tonight.” Big Un barely got the words out of his mouth and responded as he retreated, “You tell yo sister I hope she gets to feeling better.” Steve Flowers has analyzed Alabama politics for national television audiences on CBS, PBS, ABC and the British Broadcasting Network. Steve has been an up-close participant and observer of the Alabama political scene for more than 50 years and is generally considered the ultimate authority on Alabama politics and Alabama political history.
Alabama voters will be watching how new gas tax funds will be spent
BY PAUL DEMARCO Selma Sun Staff We are just now days away from the first installment of the 10 cents a gallon gasoline tax the Alabama House of Representatives and Senate
approved this past legislative session. This Sept. 1, gasoline will go up by six cents a gallon this year, two cents each of the next two years and then may go up by a penny every other year depending on the National Highway Construction Cost Index. When the 10 cents a gallon tax goes in effect in full, it is expected to generate over $300 million a year. The increase was passed in a special session with large vote margins in both chambers of the legislature, despite public opposition to the new taxes. Proponents of the bill argued the state needs the revenue to keep up with both current and future state infrastructure growth.
Opponents of the tax pushed back about the amount of the increase and the lack of transparency in the way the Alabama Department of Transportation manages road funds. As the gasoline tax increases each year, Alabama citizens will pay attention to where the funds are used across the state. Unfortunately, Alabama has had a long history of roads being built based on politics, not necessity. If the public sees business as usual from Montgomery the way road funds are spent, the voters may show their displeasure at the ballot box. Stay tuned to watch what happens over the next four years. Paul DeMarco is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives.
Alabama toughens law on stolen guns
BY PRINCE CHESTNUT I co-sponsored a bill to address an increasing problem in cities throughout the state – and indeed – throughout the nation. The sponsor of the bill is a representative from Baldwin County who prosecutes crimes for a living. He informed our committee [Judiciary] that there were increasing issues and trends brought to his attention by law enforcement leaders statewide. Police departments report a high number of situations where peo-
ple’s cars are broken into for the purpose of stealing firearms. Reportedly in some instances, the thieves actually leave other valuables in the cars while taking only the firearms. This rash of break-ins has reached almost epidemic proportions and no community is exempt. Hoover police report stolen firearms from cars. Madison police report the same. Alex City police recently reported a rash of similar crimes. Tuscaloosa police and Mobile police report the same at alarming levels. No city appears to be exempt from these crimes. The break-ins do not simply take place in so-called high crime areas either. In Prattville, I received information from a citizen that neighborhoods with homes valued in the hundreds of thousands of dollars have had thieves to open doors and search their vehicles for firearms. One of the biggest issues is that many people leave their car doors unlocked in upper middle-class neighborhoods. We simply do not live in the times of Andy Griffith; those days are gone.
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In fact, I was recently watching the 10 p.m. news and saw a story about break-ins in Prattville. This legislation is needed. Crime is out of control. The world is changing in some ways for the best, but in some ways for the worse. We have to gauge the barometer from time to time with laws to respond to the ebbs and flows of criminal behavior in order to make communities safer. Act 2019-521 will go into effect Sept. 1, 2019; it amends a criminal statute and provides that receiving a stolen rifle, firearm or shotgun, regardless of its value, constitutes the crime of receiving stolen property in the second degree. People have asked that crime be addressed. It was the second most important issue to people in my district when I first ran for office. I review these issues, consider policy, law and work with others who work for common objectives. Together we will work to fight crime and make our communities safer. Prince Chestnut is State Representative for House District 67.
SELMA SUN
August 22, 2019
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Legal Notices
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ORDINANCE #2019-6
of beginning. Said lot being triangular in shape and being the same lot conveyed by Weston E. Scarsbrook, et ux., to Dr. John T. Moore, Jr., as shown by deed dated January 11, 1966, recorded in the Probate Office of Dallas County, Alabama, in Deed Book 580, at Page 439. SECTION 2: That the Mayor and the Town Clerk be and they are hereby authorized and directed to execute and attest, respectively, for and on behalf of the Town, a deed whereby the Town does grant, bargain, sell, and convey the Property to CHESTER ROSS I a single man, and SYLVESTER LUMPKIN I a single man, for and in consideration of the sum of THIRTY THOUSAND and NO/100 DOLLARS ( $30,000.00); SUBJECT, HOWEVER, to all matters appearing of record in the Probate Office of Dallas County, Alabama, affecting the Property. SECTION 3: That the Mayor and the Town Clerk be and they are hereby authorized and directed to execute and attest, respectively, for and on behalf of the Town, said deed and such other documents needed to convey the Property in exchange for said sum of THIRTY THOUSAND and NO/100 DOLLARS ($30,000.00).
1473 Oxford Manor Circle Birmingham, AL 35242 GAMBLE, GAMBLE, CALAME & JONES, LLC P.O. Box 345 Selma, AL 36702 ATTORNEYS FOR MORTGAGEE August 15, 22, 29
plexity and size. This Bracket should not be used in preparing a bid, nor will this bracket have any bearing on the decision to award this contract. The Bracket Estimate On This Project Is From $435,215 To $531,929. The proposed work shall be performed in conformity with the rules and regulations for carrying out the Federal Highway Act. Plans and Specifications are on file in Room E-108 of the Alabama Department of Transportation at Montgomery, Alabama 36110. In accordance with the rules and regulations of The Alabama Department of Transportation, proposals will be issued only to prequalified contractors or their authorized representatives, upon requests that are received before 10 AM., on the day previous to the day of opening of bids. The bidder's proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished him or her by the Alabama Department of Transportation. The Alabama Department of Transportation, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000D TO 2000D-4 and Title 49 code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of The Secretary, Part 21, nondiscrimination in federally-assisted programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively insure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, minority business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in consideration for an award. The right to reject any or all bids is reserved. JOHN R. COOPER Transportation Director August 15, 22, 29
thence run 1 degree 57 minutes East for 157.7 feet to an iron pipe; thence run South 48 degrees 35 minutes West for 54 feet to an iron pipe on the East margin of Alabama Highway No. 14; thence run South 41 degrees 25 minutes East along said East margin of Alabama Highway No. 14 for 105.75 feet to the South line of the NW 1/4 of Section 8, T17N, R10E, Dallas County, Alabama, thence run South 88 degrees 40 minutes East along said South line for 74.5 feet to the West margin of Alabama Highway No. 219; thence run North 2 degrees 33 minutes East along said West margin for 262.4 feet to the northeast corner of said Lot 1; thence run north 87 degrees 27 minutes West along the north line of said Lot 1 for 126.4 feet to the point of beginning. Said described property lies in the southeast corner of the SE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 8, T17N, R10E, Dallas County, Alabama. Said described property being a part of the Mahan Lot and Lot 1 as shown on map of Evergreen, recorded in Map Book 3, at Page 78 in the Probate Office of Dallas County, Alabama. AND ALSO, that certain triangular shaped plot of land described as beginning at an iron bar on the West margin of the paved road extending from Alabama Highway No. 14 towards Melton Bridge and on the East-West half section line and 105.0 feet west of the center of Section 8, T17N, R10E, St. Stephens Meridian, and run thence N 88 degrees 35 minutes West 74.5 feet with the said half section line to an iron bar on the Northeast right-of-way line and 60 feet off the center of Highway No. 14 (formerly Highway No. 43); thence South 41 degrees 20 minutes East 107.8 feet along the margin of said Highway no. 14 (formerly Highway No. 43) right-of-way to its intersection with the right-of-way of the Melton Bridge Road and 40 feet west of the center of said Melton Bridge Road; thence North 2 degrees 38 minutes East 78.8 feet along the margin of said Melton Bridge Road to the point of beginning; said property lying in the Northeast quarter of the Northeast quarter of the Southwest quarter of Section 8, T17N, R10E St. Stephens Meridian. Together with the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging and all fixtures now attached to and used in connection with the premises and property herein described. Said sale will be subject to right-of-way easements, reservations and restrictions of record in the Probate Office of Dallas County, Alabama, and will be subject to existing unpaid taxes and assessments, if any, which might adversely affect the title to the property. Said property will be sold subject to the statutory right of redemption of all parties entitled thereto. Said property will be sold on an “As Is, Where Is” basis without warranty or recourse, express or implied as to title, use and/or enjoyment. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. Said sale is made for the purpose of foreclosing the aforesaid mortgage, paying the mortgage debts, the costs and expenses of foreclosure, including a reasonable attorney’s fee. The proceeds of sale will be applied as provided by the terms of said mortgage. States Resources Corp., as mortgagee, reserves the right to bid on the subject property. DATED this the 23rd day of July, 2019. STATES RESOURCES CORP. BY: Hobbs & Hain, P.C. Attorneys for the Mortgagee P.O. Drawer 1190 Selma, Alabama 36702-1190 (334) 874-6683 August 8, 15, and 22
High School for the Dallas County School System, 429 Lauderdale Street, Selma, AL 36701, Owner, and have made request for final settlement of said Contract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify McKee & Associates. Bond Construction, LLC 1001 30th Ave Northport, AL 35476 August 8, 15, 22, 29
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF ORRVILLE, ALABAMA, AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1: It is hereby established and declared that the following described real property (the Property} owned by the Town of Orrville, Alabama (the Town), is no longer needed for public or municipal purposes, to-wit: PARCEL ONE Starting at the southwest corner of the intersection of Church Street and South Street; run thence south along the west boundary of Church Street 610 feet to a point, said point being the point of beginning of the property here described; thence run North 51 degrees 5 minutes West 155 feet; thence run South 29 degrees 30 minutes West 272 feet; thence run South 84 degrees East 254 feet to the west boundary of Church Street; thence run north along said west boundary 162 feet to the point of beginning. Said property being located in the Town of Orrville, Dallas County, Alabama. PARCEL TWO Beginning at the west margin of Church Street at the north boundary of the lot of land heretofore conveyed to Dr. John T. Moore, Jr., by Joe Latham and wife, which lot of land is more particularly described in a deed recorded in the Probate Office of Dallas County, Alabama, in Deed Book 474, at Page 331 (and being "Lot l" as described in Correction Deed of John T. Moore, Jr., and wife, Carolyn M. Moore, to John W. Suttle, Jr., dated February 28, 1966, recorded in the Probate Office of Dallas County, Alabama, in Book 584, at Page 180), and from said beginning point run north 2 00 feet, more or less, along the west margin of Church Street to the south margin of Town Ditch; thence southwest 220 feet to the northwest corner of "Lot l II as above described; thence east along the north margin of said "Lot l" 165 feet to the point of beginning. The lot hereby conveyed being triangular in shape, and lying immediately north of, and adj a cent to, the lot of land described as "Lot l" above, and being the same lot as was conveyed to Dr. John T. Moore, Jr. , by deed of Weston E. Scars brook and wife, Alma F. Scarsbrook, dated October 12, 1957, recorded in the Probate Office of Dallas County, Alabama, in Deed Book 580, at Page 437. PARCEL THREE ALSO, begin at the northeast corner of the land owned by Joe McHugh and run thence south along the west margin of Church Street 110 feet, more or less, to the Town Ditch; thence run along the Town Ditch in a southwesterly direction 131 feet, more or less, to the property of Weston Scarsbrook; thence run in a northeasterly direction along the property of Weston Scarsbrook 217 feet, more or less, to the Joe McHugh property; thence run East along said Joe McHugh property 39 feet, more or less, to the point
ADOPTED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF ORRVILLE, ALABAMA THIS THE 12 DAY OF AUGUST, 2019. Jewell Williamson, Council President ATTEST: IRENE PETTWAY, TOWN CLERK OF THE TOWN OF ORRVILLE, ALABAMA LOUVENIA LUMPKIN, MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF ORRVILLE, ALABAMA August 22, 2019 LEGAL NOTICE MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE NOTICE Under the powers contained in that certain mortgage executed by CHARLIE INKUH CHONG to THE BERNICE G. HOKE REVOCABLE TRUST, dated October 28, 2016, and recorded in RLPY BK 1547, at Page 282, in the Dallas County, Alabama, probate records, default having been made in the performance of the mortgage terms, the undersigned, having declared due and payable the entire indebtedness secured by said mortgage, will, during the legal hours of sale on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, at 12:00 p.m., sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, at the front door of the Dallas County, Alabama Courthouse, in Selma, Alabama, the following described property situated in Dallas County, Alabama: Lot 1-Revised of "Revision of Lots 1-Revised and Lot 3 of Edna M. Tippett Subdivision" according to Map Book 6, Page 233, in the Probate Office of Dallas County, Alabama. Said sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by the above described mortgage and the proceeds thereof will be applied as provided by the mortgage terms, including payment of foreclosure expenses. The Bernice G. Hoke Revocable Trust
Notice to the Creditors of Estate of: MACK ARTHUR PREVO, deceased. Letters of Administration upon the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 2nd day of August, 2019, by the Probate Judge Jimmy L. Nunn of Dallas County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same, duly sworn to, in the Probate Court of said County within the time allowed by law, or else same will be forever barred. VANESSA STRONG Personal Representative CHARLES H. SIMS, III Attorney for Petitioner P.O. Box 1432 Selma, AL 36702-1432 August 15, 22, 29 Notice to Contractors Federal Aid Project No. STPNU2419(250) DALLAS COUNTY, ALABAMA Sealed bids will be received by the Director of Transportation at the office of the Alabama Department of Transportation, Montgomery, Alabama until 10:00 AM on August 30, 2019 and at that time publicly opened for constructing the Widening, Resurfacing, and Traffic Stripe on CR-52 from the junction of CR-63 to the Autauga County Line. Length 2.075 mi. The total amount of uncompleted work under contract to a contractor must not exceed the amount of his or her qualification certificate. The Entire Project Shall Be Completed In Thirty (30) Working Days. A 3% DBE Contract Obligation Is Required. A Bidding Proposal may be purchased for $5.00. Plans may be purchased for $4.00 per set. Plans and Proposals are available at the Alabama Department of Transportation, 1409 Coliseum Boulevard, Room E-108, Montgomery, AL 36110. Checks should be made payable to the Alabama Department of Transportation. Plans and Proposals will be mailed only upon receipt of remittance. No refunds will be made. Minimum wage rates for this project have been pre-determined by the Secretary of Labor and are set forth in the advertised specifications. This project is subject to the contract work hours and Safety Standards Act and its implementing regulations. Cashier's check or bid bond for 5% of bid (maximum - $50,000.00) made payable to the Alabama Department of Transportation must accompany each bid as evidence of good faith. The bracket range is shown only to provide general financial information to contractors and bonding companies concerning the project's com-
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NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain Mortgage of Candice L. Smitherman, managing partner of KT’s Country Store, LLC, to Regions Bank dated the 7th day of May, 2007, which said mortgage was filed of record in the Probate Office of Dallas, Alabama, on May 8, 2007 and is recorded in RLPY Book 1372, Page 646, et seq., which said Mortgage was corrected by that certain Correction Mortgage that was filed of record in the Probate Office of Dallas County, Alabama on May 9, 2007 in RLPY Book 1372, Page 719, et seq.; which said mortgage was assigned to States Resources Corp. by Regions Bank, on the 15th day of April, 2019, which said Assignment was filed of record in the Probate Office of Dallas County, Alabama, and is recorded in RLPY Book 1584, Page 453, et seq., and by reason of such default, States Resources Corp. having declared all of the indebtedness secured by said mortgage due and payable, and such default continuing, notice is hereby given that, acting under the power of sale contained in said mortgage, States Resources Corp. will sell at public outcry, for cash, to the highest bidder, in front of the Courthouse door, Lauderdale Street entrance, in the City of Selma, Dallas County, Alabama, at twelve o’clock noon or otherwise during the legal hours of sale on August 29, 2019, the following described real estate situated in Dallas County, Alabama, to-wit: Commencing at an old iron pipe on the east margin of Alabama Highway No. 14, being the southeast corner of Lot 2, according to the map of Evergreen recorded in Map Book 3, at Page 78 in the Probate Office of Dallas County, Alabama; thence run North 45 degrees 17 minutes East along the southeast line of said Lot 2 for 74.1 feet; thence run North 43 degrees 34 minutes East along said southeast line of Lot 2 for 48.4 feet to the southwest corner of Lot 3 of the Evergreen Subdivision; thence run South 87 degrees 27 minutes East along the lot line between Lots 1 and 3 of the Evergreen Subdivision for 33.6 feet to an iron pipe and the point of beginning;
In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given that Bond Construction, LLC, Contractor, has completed the Contract for Partial Reroofing at Dallas County
LEGAL NOTICE Notice to the Creditors of the Estate of Doris Belle Oakes Shields, Deceased. Letters Testamentary upon the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 9th day of August, 2019, by Honorable Jimmy L. Nunn, the Probate Judge of Dallas County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same, duly sworn to, in the Probate Court of said county within the time allowed by law, or else same will be forever barred. Philip E. Holladay, Jr. Personal Representative Hobbs & Hain, P.C. P.O. Box 1190 Selma, Alabama 36702 Attorneys for Personal Representative August 22, 29, Sept. 5 LEGAL NOTICE Mortgage Foreclosure Sale Trustee Sale #: 112102 Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Cleveland T Edwards a/k/a Cleveland Theophilus Edwards and Marcia M. Edwards to AmSouth Bank on the 12th day of September 2006, said Mortgage recorded on October 3, 2006, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Dallas County, Alabama, in Book 1355, Page 427, PNC Bank, National Association, successor by merger to RBC Centura Bank, successor by merger to AmSouth Bank, as Mortgagee, per the Assignment recorded on May 4, 2007, in the Office of Judge of Probate of Dallas County, Alabama, in Book 1372, Page 536, and under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in the Mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Selma, Dallas County, Alabama, on October 16, 2019, during the legal hours of sale, all of its right, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Dallas County, Alabama, to-wit: Lot 5 of the Cook Development Corp., Subdivision, Plat 2, recorded in the Probate Office of Dallas County, Alabama, in Map Book 6, Page 261. This Property Will Be Sold On An "As Is, Where Is" Basis, Subject To Any Easements, Encumbrances, And Exceptions Reflected In The Mortgage And Those Contained In The Records Of The Office Of The Judge Of Probate Of The County Where The Above-Described Property Is Situated. This Property Will Be Sold Without Warranty Or Recourse, Expressed Or Implied As To Title, Use And/ Or Enjoyment And Will Be Sold Subject To The Right Of Redemption Of All Parties Entitled Thereto. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property, the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. The Mortgagee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation. PNC Bank, National Association, successor by merger to RBC Centura Bank, successor by merger to AmSouth Bank, Mortgagee Frank C. Bozeman, III Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. 114 E. Gregory Street Pensacola, FL 32502 Attorney for Mortgagee (850) 434-6490 August 22, 29, Sept. 5
August 22, 2019
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Use your homegrown tomatoes in these summer recipes BY KATIE NICHOLS Alabama Cooperative Extension System Tomatoes are a staple in every Southern garden. Put the time spent pruning, watering and fertilizing to good use as you spend time in the kitchen. Add tomato salad, stuffed tomatoes or Tomatoes Rockefeller to the summer menu. STUFFED TOMATOES • 6 medium tomatoes • 1/2 cup chopped celery • 1/2 cup chopped cucumber • 1 tablespoon chopped green pepper • 1 tablespoon chopped onion • 3 hard cooked egg whites • 1 hard-cooked egg • 1/4 cup mayonnaise Directions: Plunge tomatoes into boiling water to loosen skins; then take them out and remove the skins. Cut a slice from the top of each tomato and
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cut out seeds and part of the pulp. Turn the cut end down on paper towels and let them drain for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, chop the pulp into medium-size pieces. Add the celery, cucumber, green pepper, and onion and mix well. Chop egg and egg whites and toss to distribute yolk. Add eggs to the tomato mixture and toss carefully. Add mayonnaise, a little at a time, and toss. Use only enough to moisten the ingredients. Spoon the tomato mixture into tomato shells and chill before serving. Makes 6 servings. To make Chicken Salad Tomatoes, follow directions to remove skins. Turn stem ends down and make 4-6 slits in the top of the tomato. Pull the tomato open and fill with chicken salad. MACARONI AND TOMATO SALAD • 1 cup mayonnaise • 1/4 teaspoon salt
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FRIED TOMATOES Wash, dry, and cut ripe or green tomatoes in slices. Dust each side with black pepper and all-purpose flour. Lightly sprinkle with salt; use as little salt as possible. Allow slices to dry some before frying. Brush a little vegetable oil in the bottom of a skillet and heat to medium. Place toma-
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• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste • 1/8 teaspoon red pepper, or to taste • 4 cups cooked elbow macaroni • 2 cups chopped tomatoes • 1/4 cup chopped ripe olives • 1/4 cup chopped green onions with tops • 1/2 garlic clove, minced • 1/2 cup chopped celery • 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese Directions: Combine the mayonnaise, salt and both peppers in a bowl and stir until blended. Combine all remaining ingredients except cheese in a large bowl. Toss lightly until evenly mixed. Add mayonnaise mixture to macaroni mixture and toss lightly. Cover and chill 8 hours or overnight. Makes 15 servings.
DOWN 1 Obtains 2 Kind of account 3 Kind of service 4 "Close to __", Bacharach song 5 Claus subordinate 6 Chesterfield, e.g. 7 Carefree 8 Amaze 9 Put on the line 11 Wheat variety 17 Preserved 19 Positive aspects 21 One thing philosophers ponder on 22 Skunk's defense 24 Took in 25 FYI part 26 Receive 27 Bit of sunshine 28 Orchestrate 32 Tops 36 Pull along the ground 38 "Thirty days ___ September ..." 39 Sound reflection 40 Measure 41 Copper or bronze 42 Manner 44 Fourth word in the "Star Wars" intro 45 Agent from Washington
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toes in hot pan and brown. Turn, lower heat, and brown other side, allowing time for tomato slices to cook. Add drops of oil between slices if needed. Serve hot. One half of a medium tomato makes 1 serving. TOMATOES ROCKEFELLER • 2 10-ounce packages frozen chopped spinach • 4 medium-large tomatoes • 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder • 2 tablespoons parsley • 1/4 cup finely chopped green onion with tops • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese • 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil • 2 tablespoons skim milk (optional) • Butter-flavor vegetable cooking spray Directions: Cook spinach as directed on package. Drain well. Wash tomatoes and cut in half crosswise. Combine bread crumbs, garlic powder, parsley, onion, salt, pepper, cheese Worcestershire sauce, and oil
with spinach and mic well. If mixture is too dry, add enough milk to make it hold its shape. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray and arrange tomato halves on it with cut side up. Mound the spinach mixture on
top of tomatoes. Bake at 375°F for 15 minutes. These recipes and many others can be found in the Auburn Cookbook, a product of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
Community Calendar Selma Restaurant Week/ Alabama Restaurant Week August 16-25. The Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce is coordinating with the State Department of Tourism to host Selma Restaurant Week and we want you to be a part! The sign-up period for restaurants is ongoing and participation costs you nothing. Register your restaurant by following this link: https://partners.alabama.travel/ or by calling the Selma/ Dallas Chamber of Commerce at (334) 875-7241. Participating restaurants are listed on the website http://www.alabamarestaurantweek.com with exact meal offerings once they are known. SUPER Volunteer Opportunities! 7th Annual Get Fit Selma! Health & Fitness Festival on Sept. 28 at Wallace Community College from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Be part of an exciting health event for everyone in Selma. We are looking for SUPER Volunteers to set up our 5K Run, 1/2-Mile K-5th Grade Challenge, Community Run/Walk & Tot Trot; register runners and walkers; pass out t-shirts and race bags and more! Make sure that our very special guests Ellen McKnight, The Maxine Firm; Michelle & Sean Clark, Double Dutch Aerobics; the Alabama Chapter of the NFL Players Association - like Joe Cribbs and Reginald Gipson; and Lee Southwick with the WSFA Storm Tracker are taken care of ! Greet ALL of our Selma Health Educators, vendors and businesses and help them set up to be ready to serve all of our guests! Below are just a very few! Email getfitselma@ gmail.com or register to volunteer at https://mglcselma.com/ volunteer-page/. Best Black Belt Fish Contest Deadline Nears. This year, we’re giving all the great anglers in the Black Belt plenty of time to have a shot at winning a great prize in our Best Black Belt Fish Photo Contest. The deadline is not until Sept. 11, but you’ll want to enter as soon as you can to give your friends and family time to vote from you. Visit https://alabamablackbeltadventures.org/bestblackbeltfishcontest/ to upload your photo or to vote for your favorite entry. Family Karate—Tang Soo Do (Related to Taekwondo) at Edmundite Missions Youth Center on 1108 Griffin Ave. Tuesdays and Thursdays 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Fee is $30 per family (adults encouraged). Scholarships available. For ages grade 2 and up accompanied by an adult. Free uniforms/free month trial classes. Sr. Kathy is a 4th degree Certified Black Belt Instructor. For more information, call 334-455-0929. Through the McKinneyVento Assistance Act, the Dallas County School District is actively seeking to identify and enroll all students who are living in a homeless situation that reside with Dallas County School’s jurisdiction. To be eli-
gible for local services, students must meet the criteria of homeless and attend school. For questions or assistance, of knowing of a school-age child who needs assistance in enrolling and attending school, contact Dorothy Irvin at 334-872-6251 or a local school. Lunch & Life Monday Table Talk with Pastor Tonya Chestnut-Every Monday from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at The Coffee Shoppe, 308 Broad Street in Selma. Session 1 at 11:45 a.m. and Session 2 at 12:30 p.m. Register for the 2nd Annual AIM for Excellence 5K 1-Mile Fun Run & Walk scheduled for Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 7:30 a.m. at Bloch Park, Selma, AL-All ages welcome-Registration $10 and up-Virtual Run available-For more information and to register at https://runsignup.com/Race/AL/Selma/ AIMFOREXCELLENCE5K or call 334-874-1600. Farmers Market Season ends Nov. 1. It is held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays beginning from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. or until the last vendor sells out. The market is located at Bloch Park on Dallas Avenue in Selma. For more information or if you have questions, please contact the market manager at 334-518-0346. Dallas County Family Resource Center Money Smart Classes Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at the Dallas County Family Resource Center, 10096 AL Highway 14 W, Selma. To reserve your seat in these classes call 334-874-7785. Water and light snacks provided. American Red Cross Seeking Volunteers- Volunteers needed for Disaster Action Team, Office Support, Volunteer Services Recruitment Lead, Service to Armed Forces, Biomed/Blood Services, Disaster Services-For more information contact Sandy Zuiderheok at 334-201-1620 or sandy.zuiderhoek@redcross. org. To apply, visit www.redcross.org/alabama/volunteer. The Dallas County School District is offering Free Introductory Computer Classes to all parents and guardians with children in the county school system. Participants will learn the basics of how to use a computer in a fun-filled atmosphere, introduction to Microsoft Word 2016, Internet and more. Classes will meet every Tuesday, beginning Sept. 5 from 10 a.m.-noon at the Dallas County Learning Resource Center, located at 5570 Water Avenue and from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. at Keith High School. For more information, or to enroll, call Dorothy Irvin or Ivery Williams at 334-872-6251. Backyard Bible Club from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Moody Circle at Craig Field, Sardis Community Center, and Water Avenue trailer Park. Sponsored by United for the City.
Ready to Work Training is a free program available to people who are unemployed, seeking entry-level skills, or want to re-enter the workforce. The mobile training unit is located behind the headquarters building at 48 Fifth Street, Craig Field. Classes begin Monday, April 15 from 8:30-11:30 am, Monday through Thursday. The ready to work program provides trainees the entry-level skills required for employment with most businesses and industries. Specific training is in the following areas: Communication skills, conflict resolution, and financial management, problem solving strategies, computer technology skills, decision-making, career exploration and teamwork. For more information, call Kimberly Walker-Crowe at 334-874-7419. Book Bunch from 9:30 a.m.10:30 a.m. at the Selma-Dallas County Public Library, Vaughan Room every Wednesday Everyone is welcome. Bring a friend and to share and talk about good books. Pet Adoptions - Selma Animal Shelter in conjunction with the Human Society of Central Alabama are open on the 1st Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Adoptions Only, no take ins. All adoptions are fully vetted, ready to go to a loving home. Call 334- 877-2204. Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation Train the Trainer Institute Level II with Dr. Bernard Lafayette & Team at Healing Water Retreat Center, 8 Mulberry Rd, Selma, AL-$450 which includes breakfast and lunch daily. Full scholarships are available for Selma residents and reduced rates for others based upon need. Must have completed Level I to qualify for Level II training and includes learning on the go with visits to historical sites in the region- Register at https:// tinyurl.com/KingianNVregonline, BOConner@SelmaCNTR. org or 334-526-4539 Ext. 3. For more information, visit www. SelmaCNTR.org. Free Legal Services for Adults and Children with Disabilities — Call ADAP (Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program) at 1-800-826-1675 to set up an appointment - ADAP is in Selma the second Tuesday of every month from 9 a.m. to noon and the fourth Tuesday of every month from noon to 4 p.m. The ADAP Office location in Selma is at 801 Alabama Avenue (Inside the offices of Legal Services of Selma).
August 20 Tuesday at the Movies (Senior Citizens) showing a Redbox/Netflix Surprise at the Performing Arts Center at 1000 Selma Avenue. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Movie starts at 2 p.m. $1 donation for movie, popcorn and a drink. For more information, call 334-874-2145.
August 22 Community Come and Go: The Selma Redevelopment
Authority and DesignAlabama will host a “Community Come and Go” event at the Carneal ArtsRevive Building on 3 Church Street at 5:30 p.m. August 22. City Councilman Michael Johnson’s Ward 8 Weed and Seed Meeting on August 22 at 5:30 p.m. at Brown Chapel AME Church.
August 24 Selma-Dallas County SAV-ALIFE Annual Golf Tournament at 8 a.m. at the Valley Grange Golf Course. $75 per player/ $225 per team. For more information contact Matt Dobbs 334-375-0547 or email matthewdobbs@me.com.
August 25 A Community Exhibition of Youth Photography by Edmundite Missions New Possibilities Youth Program Summer Campers from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. at the Selma Art Guild Gallery on 508 Selma Avenue. Hosted by the Selma Art Guild and Edmundite Missions.
August 26 The Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting for Assured Staffing, LLC at 10 a.m. at 2918 Citizens Parkway.
August 27 Tuesday at the Movies (Senior Citizens) showing “Patch Adams” at the Performing Arts Center, 1000 Selma Avenue. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Movie starts at 2 p.m. $1 donation for movie, popcorn and a drink. For more information, call 334-874-2145. Alabama Cottage Food Law: Food Safety Training Course from 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. at Central AL Farmers Co-op at 2519 US Highway 80 W in Selma. Register and pay online at www. aces.edu/go/972. Certificates cost $25. Certification is good for five years. For more information call Alice Moore, Extension Agent at 334-216-0738. The Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce’s “60-Minute Coffee” will have the Dallas County Commission and probate judge on Aug. 27. The program will take place at the Trustmark Community Room on 310 Broad Street at 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
August 28 The Selma and Dallas County Historic Preservation Society hosts a “Salad Luncheon” at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church Nutrition Center, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Contact Event chair Jewell Williamson at (334) 412 6154 for details.
September 7 Eighth Ward Family Fest is at 11 a.m. at East Selma Park on Division Street. Admission is free. Includes games, food, bounce houses, giveaways and vendors. For more information or to volunteer, contact Toby at 334-505-7365 or Danisha at 334-419-3385.
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SELMA SUN
August 22, 2019
7
EDUCATION
Megan Summers, left, a science teacher in the Selma City School system, received an Aim for Excellence Award, which she is given by Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams, right.
Selma City Schools gave out laptops to eighth graders at R. B. Hudson STEAM Academy this week. Library Media Specialist Shayla George Williams, who helped get the laptops, went over expectations and regulations for the students.
R.B. Hudson is STEAMing for excellence BY AVIS WILLIAMS Superintendent of Selma City Schools When I assumed the helm of Selma City Schools nearly two years ago, it was apparent that there needed to be some changes in our middle grades education. Of particular concern was, R.B, Hudson Middle School. Repeatedly on the failing schools list and deemed unsafe, clearly we needed to do things differently in order to improve outcomes for our scholars and families. Last year, under the leadership of veteran principal Concetta Burton, we began a
new journey for our middle school. We started the school year fully staffed which had not happened in recent years. We also began to research and implement STEAM education. STEAM is science, technology, engineering, arts and math. When students engage in activities that combine different elements of STEAM, they experience guided inquiry where they are driven to ask thoughtful questions, discover answers, apply what they learn, and problem-solve creatively. Additionally, they collaborate with their peers and learn to communicate more effectively. This type of learning is key to our scholars’ suc-
cess through high school and beyond. Thanks to a grant from International Paper, the scholars of R.B. Hudson experienced a unique sustainable gardening class. Additionally, the University of Alabama partnered with us to begin creating STEAM in Motion. This repurposed school bus is a mobile greenhouse. As if all that were not enough, robotics took off in an amazing way. Our team competed throughout the state, won the Congressional App Challenge and placed in the Governor’s App Challenge. All of these efforts help set the stage for the what’s to come.
Beginning this year, we are STEAMing for excellence. New principal Cicely Curtis hit the ground running. Addressing not only academics but also school culture, our scholars and families will see the continued transformation of our middle school. This year, look for more handson learning, deepened partnerships, a focus on non-violence and STEAM Day every Friday. STEAM Day learning opportunities range from coding and robotics to fashion design and natural hair care. Our teachers and scholars are excited. I am thrilled because this is only the beginning. As we progress through the year, look to learn more about
how R.B. Hudson STEAM Academy will lead the way in support of STEAM in the Black Belt. Expect to hear more about our business and community partners. Most of all, in the coming years, look for R.B. Hudson to continue to make academic progress. We are preparing our scholars for success and invite you to be a part of this journey. Soon, we will announce the grand opening of the STEAM Academy along with opportunities to support and get involved. Yes, we are STEAMing for excellence! For more information, please reach out to me at avis.williams@selmacityschools.org.
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August 22, 2019
8
SELMA SUN
OUTDOORS
Alligator season ends with slight uptick in number harvested BY TODD PRATER Selma Sun Staff The 2019 West Central Alabama River Zone came to an end at sunrise Aug. 18. The WCZ gator hunt boundaries are all public and private waters from the Jones Bluff Lock & Dam to the Highway 84 Bridge in Monroe County. A total of 32 gators were harvested, which is one more than last year. The gators were weighed, measured, sexed and a tissue sample taken. The weigh-in station for the WCZ is at Roland Cooper State Park, near Camden, which is manned by biologists from Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Four gators were brought in the first night, 12 the second night, and four on the third night of the first weekend. During the second weekend, technically the fourth night of the WCZ hunt, four gators came in. The fifth night, three were brought in and on the last night of the hunt, five gators were brought in.
Unofficial numbers compiled from data collected at the weighin station showed that of the 32 gators brought into the WCZ, 21 were taken above the Millers Ferry Lock & Dam and 11 below. There were 24 males and eight females. For the first time in the nine years of the WCZ hunt, the biggest alligators harvested were taken in the Southwest Zone. Although the size and weight average in the WCZ were down this year the WFF, biologists say that is not a bad thing because the goal of the hunt is to thin out the alligator population. But the WCZ holds two distinctions that have made it the destination for trophy hunters. In 2011, the Fancher Gator was caught in this zone. It was 14 feet, two inches long and weighed in at 838 pounds and was a new Alabama state record. That made gator hunters take notice of this zone. Then in 2014, the world record Stokes Gator caught by Mandy Stokes and her team measured 15 feet nine inches and weighed
1,011 pounds. The Stokes Gator is on display from Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Millers Ferry Resource Office in Millers Ferry Alabama. The American alligator’s rise from the brink of extinction is a real conservation success story. In 1967 the species was listed on the endangered list. Through extensive conservation efforts, the American alligator was removed from endangered to federally protected in 1987. Alabama’s alligator population has grown so much that they pose a nuisance in many areas. Implementing a regulated alligator hunt on a small scale is an important step toward controlling populations and better managing this unique reptile. Here is a list of the top 15 gators brought into the WCZ in the 2019 season. The largest gator was captured on the fourth night of the hunt, Aug. 15-16, by tag holder Jeremy Powers of Valley Grande. Jeremy and his team, Sean
Barrett and Art Powers, brought in a gator that measured 11 feet and weighed 372 pounds. The Valley Grande team caught their gator around Holly’s Landing. Bill David Plott of Tuscaloosa – Claiborne Dam – 11’ 5�, 364 lbs., M Jason Hearon of Selma – Elms Bluff – 11’ 2�, 362 lbs., M Colby Sisson of Springville – Bogua Chitto Creek – 10’ 7�, 355 lbs., M Fred Wilson of Chunchula – Cobbs Landing – 10’ 7�, 333 lbs., M Chris Wallace of Athens – 10’ 6�, 325 lbs., M Mandy Stokes of Thomaston – Holly’s Landing - 9’ 5 ½�, 252 lbs., M Angela Humphries of Jasper – Gees Bend – 9’ 8�, 246 lbs., F James Coe – Alligator Slough – 10’, 235 lbs., M Alston Wolfe of Addison – Foster Creek - 9’ 6�, 226.5 lbs., M Randy Harris – Gees Bend – 8’ 9�, 201.5 lbs., F Michael Himber of Killen – 9’ 3�, 191 lbs., M
Stephen Lauderdale of Dora – Millers Ferry – 8’ 10�, 183 lbs., F Allen Landon of Uriah – Claiborne – 9’, 178 lbs., M Jeremy Moore of Lester – Hurricane Island – 8’ 10�, 169.5 lbs., F
James “Big Daddy� Lawler contributed information and photos for this story. Follow him at www.gettinoutdoorsradio.com and through Gettin’ Outdoors podcasts.
"The Valley Grande Gator Boys," Art & Jeremy Powers along with Sean Barrett brought in the largest alligator of the 2019 West Central Alabama River Zone hunt. Tag holder, Jeremy, and his team brought in their 11', 372-pound gator Gator #26 brought into the weigh-in station was the third biggest of the WCZ on the fourth night of the hunt. They hunted up river in Dallas County the first Gator #26 brought into the weigh-in station was the third biggest of the WCZ hunt. Selma hunters Ray and Jason Hearon and Brent Ross got their tag filled weekend but decided to come below Millers Ferry Lock & Dam where they hunt. Selma hunters Ray and Jason Hearon and Brent Ross got their tag filled with this Elms Bluff 11' 2", 362-pound gator. with this Elms Bluff 11' 2", 362-pound gator. ran up on their gator around Holly's Landing.
The Selma Sun sizes up Selma and Dallas County's 2019 football teams in a Football Preview Edition on Aug .
#E A PARĆ‘ OF THIS SPECIAL EDIĹłON AND WISH THE TEAMS LUĆ‚ IN THE FALL For more information, contact Publisher Cindy Fisher at publisher@selmasun.com or
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