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Strong season Conditioning begins ahead for PHS wrestling. 12A Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Costumes galore Thousands enjoy fall festival in Pelham. 8A

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City provides water safety with rescue boat By JESSA PEASE

Staff Writer The Pelham Fire Department put its new R ONE Series connector-style rescue boat to good use out at Oak Mountain State Park, providing water safety for Jefferson County Adapted P.E.’s canoeing outing. Lt. Billy Earnest and other members of the fire department patrolled amidst the dozen canoes

in lake Oct. 12-14. Most of the participants were children with special needs and volunteers from the adapted physical education program. “This is fantastic. These are the events that a firefighter lives for,” Earnest said. “We have great people we work with here, and it makes us feel good about what we are doing, being able to volunteer with them.” The firefighters watched

as the kids paddle with instructors around the river, and Earnest said the responders help out in occasions when the kids have difficulties with the water. It’s a fun event and an opportunity to give back, according to Earnest. It’s also a way the Pelham Fire Department can connect with the community by joining the group’s lunch at the end of the day.

“We have a task to do today and that’s to ensure safety for the kids,” Earnest said. “It’s a great opportunity to give back.” The fire department first purchased the $32,810 rescue boat, trailer and related equipment and electronics Aug. 4 after it was approved by the City Council. Since then Earnest said they have taken it out for multiple training opportunities.

See SAFETY, Page 2A

REPORTER PHOTO/JESSA PEASE

The Pelham Fire Department joins the Jefferson County Adapted P.E.’s canoeing event Oct. 12-14, providing water safety for the children and volunteers of the program.

Pelham’s K-9 conference provides unique training opportunities By JESSA PEASE

Staff Writer

REPORTER PHOTO/JESSA PEASE

One by one, the Belgian malinois, German shepherds and labrador retrievers weaved through 31 cardboard boxes, testing the strength of their training through competition. Four of the boxes contained the scent of narcotics, four contained the scent of explosive material and the remaining boxes were

filled with objects, such as tennis balls, meant to distract the dogs from their objective. The dogs—each trained in either bomb or drug detection—were tasked with locating the four boxes they were qualified to find. This was just one of the many activities the 65 military and police K-9 units participated in at the

See CONFERENCE, Page 2A

Pelham’s Edward Gipson, 30, takes down a 15-yard gain by John Carroll’s Bailey Mara, 8.

Sweet victory Panthers shut out Cavaliers in first win of the season By JESSA PEASE

Staff Writer BIRMINGHAM — After enduring a rough season, the Panthers won their first game Oct. 16, shutting out the John Carroll Cavaliers

21-0. Pelham’s strong defense contributed greatly to the win, seizing opportunities to gain field position and possession of the ball. “I’m extremely proud of our defense tonight, from the opening of game all the way

through,” said Pelham head coach Tom Causey. “We challenged them at the beginning of the week to create turnovers, we’ve done a really good job of that all year long. They did a great job of that tonight.” Jon Drake led the team’s

defense with eight tackles and a fumble recovery, followed by Vida Solito who had seven. Malik Copeland and Conner Christian each had six tackles for the night.

See PANTHERS, Page 2A

REPORTER PHOTO/JESSA PEASE

Patrol dogs practice takedowns on the ice at the Pelham Civic Complex Oct.13-14 as part of the training provided at the K-9 Conference.

American Legion Matthew Blount Post 555 commemorates 50th Vietnam Anniversary EVENT DETAILS

By JESSA PEASE

Staff Writer

CONTRIBUTED

Businesses located in Victoria Plaza on Pelham Parkway will hand out candy and treats to kids on Oct. 31 starting at 5 p.m.

Pelham businesses invite trick-or-treaters By JESSA PEASE

Staff Writer Kai’s Koffee and the adjacent businesses in its plaza are welcoming trickor-treaters on Halloween, starting at 5 p.m. Most of the shops will be giving out candy and other treats. Kai’s Koffee House, Neighborhood CPAP, Linda’s Hair Salon, Boost Mobile and Nails Max, all

located in Victoria Plaza on Pelham Parkway, will all participate. “We tried to do something safe for the children and do something to get the community involved,” said Stacie Noss, manager at Kai’s Koffee. “It is all about the community. We try to give back as much as the community gives to us.”

See BUSINESS, Page 2A

To thank Vietnam veterans and commemorate the 50th anniversary of the war, the American Legion Matthew Blount Post 555 is hosting a memorial ride and day of thanks Nov. 7. The event, held in conjunction with the Exchange Club of Shelby County and the Alabama National Cemetery, will begin with a flag assembly at 10 a.m. at the National Cemetery. “We just want to thank the veterans for their service and welcome them home,” said Tom McDaniel, public relations officer with Post 555. “This is an opportunity to thank the veterans who came home, thanks the families of those who didn’t come home and the families of those who did come home.”

 WHAT: 50th Vietnam Anniversary Ride  WHEN: Nov. 7 at 10 a.m.  WHERE: Alabama National Cemetery and The Heart of Dixie HarleyDavidson

CONTRIBUTED

Post 555 Legion Riders will ride from the Alabama National Cemetery to the Heart of Dixie Harley-Davidson in Pelham to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam. McDaniel said that when veterans of Vietnam came home, they were treated poorly and didn’t receive thanks from anyone. Post 555 sees this event as a way to properly welcome those soldiers home and thank them for their service.

After a wreath laying ceremony, a musical tribute and a guest presentation, motorcyclists will depart from the cemetery at 10:45 a.m. and head to the Heart of Dixie HarleyDavidson in Pelham. Opening ceremonies will

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begin at noon at the HarleyDavidson Center with a presentation of colors, the national anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a formal recognition of the Vietnam veterans. “This is just some thing we felt we needed to do,” McDaniel said. “We want a big response to this because we think this is something we that really should be done.”

Want to see who topped the weekly health ratings?

See LEGION, Page 2A See page 5A for public records and a list of this week’s restaurants with the best scores.


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