First Avenue Northeast, as seen on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 17. / W.C. Mann
CULLMAN COUNTY – On Wednesday, The Tribune checked in with mayors around Cullman County to see how the municipalities were handling this week’s winter storm. None of the officials we were able to contact reported any major issues common during such weather, such as residents without power or heat.
Woody Jacobs, Cullman
According to Mayor Jacobs, all city roads were open. The City used a brine treatment on many of its streets that was successful enough to attract the attention of officials from other municipalities, some of whom came to Cullman Wednesday morning to see the equipment and get information about its use.
Cullman City offices will be open as usual from Thursday on. The City is allowing people who need a place to get warm to go to the lobby of the Wellness and Aquatic Center (1636 Field of Miracles Drive SW, Cullman) during the day, and is prepared to open a warming station at the Donald Green Senior Center (1625 Cleveland Ave. SW, Cullman, near the Aquatic Center) if needed.
Kenneth Nail, Hanceville
According to Mayor Nail, all streets in Hanceville are open, with a few icy patches but none causing issues for drivers. Hanceville City Hall will be open as usual from Thursday on. The City has a warming station in the auditorium at city hall, available even when the facility is closed; those coming to warm up should enter through the police headquarters at the back of the building.
Donnis Leeth, Colony
According to Mayor Leeth, there have been no issues with roads around Colony. The town’s Educational Complex (152 Byars Rd. Hanceville) is available as needed for use as a warming station but the mayor reported that no one had yet come to use it.
Kenneth Kilgo, West Point
Mayor Kilgo reported that Highway 157 was clear through West Point. A few secondary roads with shaded areas, low-lying areas and bridges had patches of ice, including CR 1127, CR 1140 and CR 1142; but even those were passable for careful drivers.
West Point Town Hall (3990 CR 1141, West Point) will be available as needed for use as a warming station, though no one in the area has yet expressed a need.
Reggie Dodson, Vinemont
According to Mayor Dodson, Vinemont’s roads were all passable, though some secondary roads may still have had some ice in isolated spots; and the town hall was open. Vinemont High School’s gym was designated as a shelter in the event that I-65 had to be closed; however, as the interstate remained open, the shelter was not used. No other warming stations were open in the town.
Jerry Bartlett, Good Hope
Mayor Bartlett told The Tribune that roads were clear, except for a few isolated patches of ice in shaded areas of roads. He still encouraged residents to stay home unless they really needed to get out. The City made a shelter available at city hall in the event that I-65 had to be closed. Since the interstate remained open, the shelter was not used, and the mayor did not foresee it being opened.
Keith Henry, Fairview
According to Mayor Henry, there was still some ice on Fairview’s side roads, but overall the town’s roads were in good shape. The Town had no designated warming station, but several area churches had made their facilities available. As of Wednesday morning, no church had reported visitors for that purpose.
Johnny Dyar, Baileyton
Mayor Dyar reported that there was a little ice in patches on local roads, but none that impeded traffic movement. No warming stations were operating, and there were no plans to have any available.
The Tribune was unable to reach Mayor Bill Oliver of Holly Pond or Mayor Tim Eskew of Garden City.
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