Cullman County EMA issues new emergency plan for Smith Lake Dam
CULLMAN COUNTY - The Cullman County Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) has issued an updated evacuation plan for areas of the county that could be affected by a catastrophic failure of, or high-volume discharge from, Smith Lake Dam (Lewis Smith Dam). It should be noted...
Fire department hot topic for Garden City council
GARDEN CITY - A large portion of the Garden City Town Council meeting this week focused on the town’s volunteer fire department and services. Of concern is that many of the people who live outside the town’s limits, yet still in the Garden City...
West Point Council discusses Hwy 157 turn lane, imposes fine for sewer dumping
Plans for a new convenience store on the south side of AL 157 in West Point.
WEST POINT - On Monday evening, the West Point Town Council once again addressed the upcoming extended deceleration/turn lane on Alabama Highway 157. The lane is planned for the...
City of Cullman presents VFW with 50 U.S. flags
Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs and VFW member Sam Bates
CULLMAN - Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs today donated 50 U.S. flags, on behalf of the City of Cullman, to Cullman's Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2214 for display throughout the city during patriotic holidays.
The mayor and...
Colony Council visited by First Source for Women, finalizes plans for upcoming special events
Mayor Donnis Leeth and FSW Director Catherine Bethell
COLONY - The Colony Town Council held its regular meeting Tuesday evening, with Mayor Donnis Leeth and council members Margaret Jamelle Dimbo, Curtis Johnson and Myra Twitty present. Members Julian Fields and Tammy Malcom were absent.
Before...
City revenue up, expenses down; cuts to 2 big projects
CULLMAN - Sales tax revenue was up by .5 percent, while expenses were down 7.5 percent in the city of Cullman for the last quarter of 2016, as compared to the same time in 2015.
Council member Jenny Folsom, who delivered the financial report at...
Bartlett hopeful Doss Bridge will re-open next week; Good Hope discusses finances
GOOD HOPE - The Good Hope City Council spent their first February meeting focusing on finances. After and invocation from John Harris and the approval of the last meeting's minutes, questions were raised about the January financial report. Councilman Harris, in charge of finances,...
County Commission lifts all water restrictions
CULLMAN - County water customers are no longer under water restrictions. At Tuesday's Cullman County Commission meeting, Cullman County Water Department Manager Randall Waldrep reported that Lake Catoma, the county's water source, has risen due to recent rains. He recommended that the commission remove...
New impeachment resolution accuses Gov. Bentley of misusing campaign funds
Rep. Corey Harbison, R-Cullman and Gov. Robert Bentley
MONTGOMERY (WSFA) - A new impeachment resolution will be floated around the Alabama House of Representatives Tuesday, accusing Gov. Robert Bentley of misusing campaign funds and not following state law.
According to Rep. Corey Harbison, R-Cullman, the resolution will...
Hanceville council names Cemetery Rehabilitation Authority, approves upcoming special events
HANCEVILLE - After a vote at the last meeting to create a Cemetery Rehabilitation Authority, the Hanceville City Council on Thursday voted to appoint three members who were approached and agreed to serve. The members will begin in staggered terms of two, four and...
Baileyton Town Council addresses finances; Dyar new president of mayor’s association
BAILEYTON - A big portion of Baileyton’s town council meeting this week focused on the town hall basement. In particular, the almost $6,000 the council says the latest renter, MultiLine Cable Company, LLC, owes the Town of Baileyton.
The Town’s attorney, Todd McLeroy, has placed...
Holly Pond water receives excellent report from ADEM
HOLLY POND - The Holly Pond Town Council had a packed agenda at this week’s meeting. After opening statements, financial report approval and the welcoming of public comments, the council dove right into their reports.
Lightbulbs for the water treatment plant have been ordered and...
Finances a priority at Fairview Town Council meeting
FAIRVIEW - Finances were the topic at hand for a large portion of Monday night’s town council meeting in Fairview. Council members were briefed on financial reports concerning the general town fund, street fund, park fund and the revenue made from the gas tax...
More residential lofts coming to downtown Cullman
CULLMAN - The City of Cullman Planning Commission met Monday evening, and with an abbreviated agenda, approved two conditional use requests for property rezoning, the first of which was for loft apartments on Second Avenue Southeast.
The first request was made specifically for 302 and...
Hanceville Library names reading room in honor of Librarian Shirley Burden
Librarian Shirley Burden with Hanceville Mayor Kenneth Nail
HANCEVILLE - On Friday afternoon, the Hanceville Public Library dedicated its expanded reading room, naming it in honor of Librarian Shirley Burden, a longtime proponent of children's reading programs. Burden was recognized at a surprise reception planned...
Hanceville council votes to pursue accreditation as an Alabama Community of Excellence; reports from fire and police
HANCEVILLE - The Hanceville City Council met Thursday evening, with Mayor Kenneth Nail and all council members present. During its session, the council voted to apply for status as an Alabama Community of Excellence (ACE).
The ACE website (www.alabamacommunitiesofexcellence.org) defines the organization as "Partners working...
Town of Colony receives vehicle from Cullman County Sheriff’s Office
L-R: CCSO Major Matt Hogue, Councilwoman Margaret Jamelle Dimbo and CCSO Chief Deputy Brett Holmes
COLONY - The Town of Colony has a new ride. According to Town Clerk Patricia Ponder, Sheriff Matt Gentry and the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) recently donated a surplus...
Good Hope receives excellent water report
GOOD HOPE - After the fun and games of the last meeting, which was on the night of the college football national championship, the Good Hope City Council was all business Monday night. After the usual invocation (by Maxie Jones), roll call (everyone present...
County joins City in scaling back water restrictions; readies for special events
Cullman County Water Department Manager Randall Waldrep speaks with attendees after the meeting.
CULLMAN - Cullman County Water customers are now in the same boat as those who get their water from the City of Cullman. Both systems are now on Phase I water restrictions,...
City scales back water restrictions to Phase I; Cullman “Tree City USA” for 29th year
CULLMAN - The City of Cullman is easing up on water restrictions. At Monday night’s city council meeting, Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs announced that thanks to recent rainfall, Cullman City Water customers are now on Phase I restrictions, two steps back from the Phase...
2 men likely to face charges for damaging Garden City’s River Park
GARDEN CITY - Two of the five people accused of causing more than $5,000 in damages to Garden City’s River Park a year ago will most likely face criminal charges, the town’s council said last night in a regular council meeting.
In January 2016, five...
City annexes 90 acres from Industrial Dev. Board
CULLMAN - The City of Cullman moved forward Monday night with the annexation of a little more than 90 acres of land on the city’s southwest side.
During a regular city council meeting, the first reading of ordinance No. 2017 - 09 was on...
Hanceville focuses on proposed Cemetery Rehabilitation Authority
HANCEVILLE - Thursday's meeting of the Hanceville City Council was short, but saw some important decisions and ideas take shape.
In the way of finances, the council approved an expenditure of $4,800 to buy eight new bulletproof vests for the police department. The council also...
Dodge City talks bridge repair, storm shelters
DODGE CITY - It was a quiet night for the Dodge City Town Council Thursday. After an invocation from Councilman Ervin Chumley, the council accepted last month’s minutes before moving on to the financial report and briefly describing some of the expenses, such as...
Mayor proclaims Jan. 11 “Human Trafficking Awareness Day”
Pictured L-R: Judge Kim Chaney (task force member), Kathy Wilson (task force chair), Blakely Hopper (task force secretary) and Mayor Jacobs
CULLMAN - On Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs officially proclaimed Jan. 11, 2017 “Human Trafficking Awareness Day” in the city of...
Chairman Walker defends commission’s support of 3-cent gas tax
CULLMAN - On Tuesday, the Cullman County Commission voted to support a 3-cent per gallon gasoline tax to fund a $1.2 billion bond issue that would be distributed among Alabama’s 67 counties for road repairs. The tax would expire when the bonds are repaid.
The...
Shedd: Let the people decide if they want a gas tax
CULLMAN - Yesterday, the Cullman County Commission voted to support a 3-cent per gallon gasoline tax to fund a $1.2 billion bond issue that would be distributed among Alabama’s 67 counties for road repairs. The tax would expire when the bonds are repaid.
The Association...
Colony to host severe weather conference with NWS Huntsville and Cullman County EMA March 2
Council members donned matching T-shirts Tuesday evening. The shirts were donated by new Councilman Julian Fields, and read "Do It Right the First Time."
COLONY - The Colony Town Council met Tuesday evening. Councilwoman Myra Twitty was absent; all other Council members, plus Mayor Donnis...
Cullman County Commission votes to support proposed 3-cent gas tax for county road improvements
CULLMAN – The Cullman County Commission on Tuesday voted to support a 3-cent per gallon gasoline tax to fund a $1.2 billion bond issue that would be distributed among Alabama’s 67 counties for road repairs. The tax would expire when the bonds are repaid.
The...
County joins City in phase III of water conservation plan
Lake Catoma on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017
CULLMAN - The Cullman County Commission on Tuesday morning announced that Phase III of the County's Emergency Water Conservation Plan has been officially implemented. This means that customers are now being asked to only use 85 percent of...
It’s Human Trafficking Awareness Month
CULLMAN - January is Human Trafficking Awareness month nationally, and was proclaimed so in Cullman County this morning by the Cullman County Commission and will be in the city of Cullman tomorrow by Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs. Wednesday, Jan. 11 is Human Trafficking Awareness...
Annexation of 90 acres on Cherokee Ave. recommended to city council
CULLMAN - On Tuesday night, the Cullman City Planning Commission met to discuss an annexation recommendation from the Cullman County Industrial Development Authority of just more than 90 acres of unincorporated farmland along Cherokee Avenue Southwest for industry and business. The commission voted to...
Holly Pond council brings 2017 to order in 1st meeting of new year
HOLLY POND - The Holly Pond Town Council met Monday evening, in spite of the rough weather, to discuss the monthly matters of the community. The minutes from the last meeting were read, then corrected. Next, the council read the financial report, and found...
Fairview Town Council meets, talks community development
FAIRVIEW - The Fairview Town Council held its regular meeting Monday evening, with Mayor Keith Henry, all council members and Town Clerk Debbie Shedd present.
After the invocation and pledge, the last meeting's minutes were approved without discussion before the council moved into old business.
Old...
On-time property tax collections end Dec. 31
CULLMAN - According to the Cullman County Revenue Commission, on-time property tax collections end Dec. 31. Property taxes are due each Oct. 1 and may be paid with no penalties or interest through Dec. 31.
All 2016 property tax payments must be paid in-full and...
Catching up with Colony
Photo taken Dec. 13: Colony Town Council members are (front) Julian Fields, (center) Jamelle Dimbo, (back, l-r) Mayor Donnis Leeth, Tam Malcolm, Myra Twitty and Curtis Johnson.
COLONY - Due to the absence of three council members during the Christmas/New Year holiday, the Colony Town...
Hanceville council addresses half-cent sales tax increase and urgent road repairs
HANCEVILLE - The Hanceville City Council held a regular meeting Thursday evening, passing a resolution which will set in motion the City’s recent half-cent sales tax increase, and addressing urgent road repairs.
In new business, the council passed a resolution to start collection of the...
Cullman City Council draws crowd for rezoning vote; reconsiders $2.5 million WWTP bid
Audience members show their opposition to a rezoning ordinance with a show of hands.
CULLMAN - The Cullman City Council held its regular meeting Monday evening, with a larger and more vocal than usual crowd in attendance. Several measures were on the table, but most...
Community Development Commission awards more than $160K in grants
CCCDC members Josh Speakman, Bradley Williams, Bill Strandlund (chairman), Joe Golden, Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry and State Rep. Corey Harbison, R-Good Hope
CULLMAN - On Monday evening the Cullman County Community Development Commission (CCCDC) met to consider requests for grants, and awarded seven grants...
Vinemont council tackles Scout House issues, sells property to state for use as group home
VINEMONT - The top two items on the agenda for this week’s Vinemont Town Council meeting were the town’s Cary C. Montgomery Scout Community Center, known locally as the “Scout House,” and the possibility of the state purchasing a home for use by the...
Colony Town Council now complete
The Colony Town Council members are (front) Julian Fields, (center) Jamelle Dimbo, (back, l-r) Mayor Donnis Leeth, Tam Malcolm, Myra Twitty and Curtis Johnson.
COLONY - Council members couldn't say when the town last had a full town council, but it has one now. At...
Good Hope council addresses old sewer lines, road construction
GOOD HOPE - The Good Hope City Council met this week, fresh off a successful parade and Christmas in the Park event over the weekend.
“It was a huge success,” said Councilman Greg Brown. Mayor Jerry Bartlett commended Brown for his hard work with the...
Commission executes gun range agreement with CCSO
Representatives from the Cullman County Department of Human Resources address the commission during Tuesday's meeting.
CULLMAN - Tuesday’s Cullman County Commission meeting was a packed house, with a public hearing for Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) funding for the Cullman Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS)...
CCCDC awards grants to Dodge City Senior Center and Beat 8 Community Center
Pictured are CCCDC member Bradley Williams, Dodge City Mayor Tawana Canada, Rep. Corey Harbison, R-Good Hope and Senior Center Director Ann Rice.
CULLMAN COUNTY - The Cullman County Community Development Commission (CCCDC) recently awarded two grants.
The Dodge City Senior Center received $12,000 for upgrades to...
Cullman City Council recognizes CHS band; bids awarded for wastewater treatment plant improvements
Cullman City Schools Superintendent Dr. Susan Patterson, Councilman Andy Page, Cullman High School Band Director Christopher Smith, Assistant Director Doug Teuscher and student representatives of the CHS band program (including both marching and symphonic bands)
CULLMAN - The Cullman City Council met Monday evening, with...
Baileyton Town Council passes budget, readies for holidays
BAILEYTON - The Baileyton Town Council held its first council meeting this week since the new council was sworn in last month. On the agenda were the 2016-2017 budget for the town and discussion of the upcoming Christmas celebration.
In old business, the council discussed...
Holly Pond Council meets to pass budget and appoint officials
HOLLY POND - The Holly Pond Town Council met Monday evening at the Guy Hunt Library. In attendance were Mayor Bill Oliver, Clerk Linda Pope and all council members: Carla Hart, Gladys Wisener, Paul Brown, Michele Bell and Lou Thomas.
The minutes of the previous...
Planning Commission denies Foresite/Verizon’s request for cell tower in Stiefelmeyer Park neighborhood
CULLMAN - The Cullman City Planning Commission on Monday evening unanimously denied Foresite/Verizon Wireless' request to build a 120-foot, monopole design cell tower on Meadowview Circle in the Stiefelmeyer Park neighborhood in northeast Cullman.
The cell tower proposal sparked fierce opposition from some, especially those...
Good Hope council at odds on funding subdivision infrastructure
GOOD HOPE - The Good Hope City Council held a regular meeting this week, where the council, alongside Grady Parsons of Living Water Services, discussed the future of Good Hope’s utility system, raising the possibility of establishing a long-term maintenance budget in the near...
Cullman City Council recognizes CHS cheerleaders, passes new pay scale
Councilwoman Jenny Folsom presents the council's resolution to CHS cheerleading coach Erica Ball, with the team and staff in attendance.
CULLMAN - The Cullman City Council met Monday evening, with several orders of business before its members. Mayor Woody Jacobs and all council members were...
Hanceville City Council makes several appointments, discusses holiday events
HANCEVILLE - The Hanceville City Council held a regular meeting recently to welcome returning and new appointees to various commissions and boards.
The following appointments were made by the council:
Joann Walls was appointed for a three-year term to the Historical Preservation Commission.
Eddie Burkart was reappointed...
Colony Town Council meets, works toward filling empty seats and improving facilities
COLONY - The Colony Town Council met Tuesday evening at Colony Town Hall. Present were Mayor Donnis Leeth, Clerk Patricia Ponder and all current council members: Jamelle Dimbo (Finance), Curtis Johnson (Parks and Recreation) and Carolyn Twitty (Sanitation and Utilities).
After and invocation by Johnson,...
Cullman County Community Development Commission awards $46K in grants for November
CULLMAN - The Cullman County Community Development Commission (CCCDC) met recently to distribute grants for the month of November. The amount available for distribution this month was $145,992; however, $100,000 was put into reserve.
Funding for CCCDC grants comes from taxes- Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)...
West Point Town Council holds first meeting of new session, talks development
Mayor Kenneth Kilgo prepares to call the meeting to order.
WEST POINT - The West Point Town Council held its first meeting since the new council was sworn in earlier this month. Present were Mayor Kenneth Kilgo, Town Attorney Dan Willingham, council members Darion Daniel,...
Good Hope City Council discusses property and infrastructure development, taxes, holiday plans
GOOD HOPE - On Monday evening the Good Hope City Council held a meeting at Good Hope City Hall. The meeting was for information and discussion; no votes were taken. Mayor Jerry Bartlett and all council members were present.
The work session featured four items...
Cullman City Council awards multiple bids, approves several items; allocates more than $5 million
CULLMAN - The City of Cullman approved some high-dollar items at last night’s city council meeting. Chief among them were the awarding of bids for the Downtown Streetscape project and the new water and sewer facility on Eva Road.
Resolution no. 2017 - 14 was...
Mayor proclaims “Retired Teachers’ Day” in Cullman
Pictured L-R: Dr. Donald E. Green, Kay Callan, Mayor Jacobs, JoAnne Minnitt
CULLMAN - Cullman’s retired educators were recently recognized with a proclamation signed by Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs proclaiming Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016, “Retired Teachers’ Day” in the city of Cullman. The proclamation was...
Changing of the guard in Holly Pond
Left to right: Gladys Wisener, Carla Hart, Paul Brown, Bill Oliver, Lou Thomas and Michelle Bell
HOLLY POND - Monday night's town council meeting in Holly Pond saw the swearing-in of new mayor Bill Oliver and the members of the council. Oliver was elected after...
Fairview welcomes new mayor, council members
Fairview's new Mayor Keith Henry, Councilman Robert Johnson and Councilman Joseph Black were sworn in by Mayor Dale Seals.
FAIRVIEW - On Monday evening the Town of Fairview welcomed its new mayor and council members at its regular town council meeting. After an invocation by...
New mayor, council and jobs in South Vinemont
Left to right: Joann Oakley, Sonya Mabry, Radginal Dodson, J.D. Marcum, Toni Helms and Shirley Arnett
SOUTH VINEMONT - The Town of South Vinemont held an organizational meeting and swearing-in ceremony on Monday evening for its new mayor and council members for 2016-2020. Cullman County...
City of Cullman swears in council members and new mayor
Left to right: Garlan E. Gudger, Jr., John W. Cook, Andy Page, Woody Jacobs, Jenny Folsom and Clint Hollingsworth
CULLMAN - The City of Cullman tonight swore in its city council and new mayor for 2016-2020. It was a packed house at Cullman City Hall,...
Town of Colony swears in council and new mayor
Town of Colony Councilwoman Margaret Jamelle Dimbo, Mayor Donnis Leeth, Councilwoman Myra Twitty and Councilman Curtis Johnson were sworn in to office on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016.
COLONY - On Monday morning the Town of Colony held an organizational meeting of its town council. Present...
Cullman County and the City of Hanceville awarded grants for repaving and revitalization
MONTGOMERY - Cullman County and the City of Hanceville have been awarded Community Development Block Grants from Gov. Robert Bentley. Columbiana also received a grant.
“These Community Development Block Grants help local government make needed improvements in their cities...
Cullman County participating in e-poll book pilot program
CULLMAN - Voters in three Cullman County precincts will see a change in Tuesday’s upcoming election. Cullman County is participating in Alabama Secretary of State John H. Merrill’s electronic poll (e-poll) book pilot program. In the program, e-poll books are used in lieu of...
Hanceville City Council discusses finances and upcoming events
The Hanceville City Council prepares to meet Thursday evening.
HANCEVILLE - The Hanceville City Council held its regular meeting at Hanceville City Hall Thursday evening. Mayor Kenneth Nail and all current council members were present.
After opening with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, the...
A celebration of Max, recognition of the brave and investment in Cullman’s future
Councilman Johnny Cook, Mayor Max A. Townson, Councilwoman Jenny Folsom, Councilman Andy Page and Councilman Clint Hollingsworth at Monday's Cullman City Council meeting.
CULLMAN - The Cullman City Council held a regular meeting on Monday to approve the budget for the next fiscal year,...
Bids opened for new wastewater facility on Eva Road
Representatives from the City of Cullman and the architectural firm Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood begin opening bids at Cullman City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016.
CULLMAN - On Tuesday afternoon at Cullman City Hall, the City of Cullman opened sealed bids solicited earlier this...
Community leaders and citizens turn out to honor Mayor Townson
Cullman Mayor Max A. Townson and his wife, Kay Townson, at today's reception
CULLMAN - Max Townson has spent the last eight years as mayor of the city of Cullman, and along with the city council has shepherded the city through good times and bad,...
West Point council approves budget, talks community improvement
Construction of West Point's new fire station is set to be complete in about eight months. Photo from Oct. 11, 2016.
WEST POINT - The West Point Town Council held its regular monthly meeting on Monday. The biggest immediate order of business was the town's...
West Point council approves budget, talks community improvement
Construction of West Point's new fire station is set to be complete in about eight months. Photo from Oct. 11, 2016.
WEST POINT - The West Point Town Council held its regular monthly meeting on Monday. The biggest immediate order of business was the town's...