The Haleyville Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade had beautiful weather and a huge turnout after being postponed from December 7 because of rain. Many of the area churches and organizations sponsored floats and vehicles. Fire trucks and emergency vehicles from Haleyville and surrounding communities also participated.  The parade started next to CVS on 20th Street and did a clockwise trip around downtown. Videos of the parade are on Facebook under HHS and HMS Bands.

The Haleyville City Council had a very short meeting on Monday with only two items on the agenda. After approving the minutes of the Council meeting on December 3, the general operation bills and purchase orders for November were approved in the amount of $442,083.06. The next scheduled meeting of the Council will be on Monday, January 7.

Friday, December 14, members of the Haleyville Rotary distributed over 500 new toys to 128 families with 285 children. This is an annual project and was made possible by donations from companies and individuals and the Rotary Club. The demand was a little greater than anticipated this year and the Rotary Club found itself a little short on funds, but all who applied received at least two toys per child. If you have not and would still like to contribute, all monetary donations no matter how small will be greatly appreciated. Please make checks to the Haleyville Rotary Club and drop it by either Haleyville Insurance or the Paradise 92.7 FM radio station. Thank you and Merry Christmas from the Haleyville Rotary Club. Rotary meets each Thursday at noon at Lakeland Community Hospital. The next meeting will be Thursday, January 4 in the hospital boardroom.

The boxes for old discarded computers and other electronic devices are almost full and will be taken for recycling early next week. This will be your last chance to get rid of those old out of date electronic items you just did not have the heart to throw away because you know they don’t belong in the regular garbage. The boxes are located in the parking lot directly behind the Haleyville City Hall next to two old police cars. There is no charge for this guilt-free way of way of getting rid of your old computers, keyboards and anything electronic. Perhaps you have some old cable TV boxes and remotes, bring them and put them in the boxes. Help keep Haleyville and surrounding area clean.

Tuesday night, December 11, families and friends packed the Haleyville High School gym to hear a fantastic Christmas music concert by the HHS and HMS bands. From the beginners through the seasoned senior band members, the audience was thoroughly entertained by every note. Both bands had done very well this year placing extremely high in competitions.  Conductors Reggie Tolbert and Judd Williams and the bands received a standing ovation for their performance.

Bo Green and Eric Wilson

The Phillips High School Robotics Team, coached by Mr. David Copeland, competed in the BEST (Boosting Engineering Science & Technology) Robotics Competition at Northwest-Shoals Community College on October 6, 2018.  The team place 2^nd overall and advanced to the South’s BEST Regional Championship at Auburn University.  The PHS Robotics Team competed against the top 64 teams from 5 states in front of a crowd of 8,000 at the Beard-Eaves Coliseum.  The finished 7^th which is the highest any team from the Northwest Alabama Hub has ever place.  The Phillips High School Robotics Team would like to thank, Representative Mike Millican, Traders & Farmers Bank, Mark Sampson, Wood Cutz, CP4E, and the PHS Robotics Team’s parents for your support.  Without you, this would not have been possible.

The following are the robotic team members from left to right:  Front Row- Andrew Byrd, Nevin Elkins, Seth Anderson, Eric Wilson, Gavin Mallard, Zack Farr, Riley Price; Back Row-Bo Green, Mr. David Copeland (Sponsor), Katlyn Frazier, Andrew Gilbert, Kylie Crane, Abby Sutherland, Alexis Sutherland, Maddie Guthrie, Jade Wilson, Brady Sutherland, Brendon Garrison, and Mr. Phillip Wilson (parent helper).

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on November 29 for the new Military Sleep Systems Department at Exxel Outdoors in Haleyville. To provide approximately 14,000 per year new technical sophisticated sleeping bags to the military Exxel utilizes about 25 sewing specialists. This is in contrast to the 2 million mass-market sleeping bags produced with huge machines and regular production lines in the other part of the plant.  These military bags will be shipped to Armed Forces supply distributors and outlets.

Kurt Wilson, VP, Manufacturing, and Director of Plant Operations is shown above with Dianne Townsend, Supervisor, Military Systems Department who cut the ribbon.

The Winston County Arts Council is sponsoring a dinner and music program this Tuesday evening, December 11 at 6 p.m. at the Lakeshore Restaurant in Double Springs. You are invited to enjoy the musical talents of the group Hollis and a delicious meal, all for just $15. Tickets are available at the door. The money will be used by the Council to help fund the art programs in the county schools.

The rain was the reason for the postponement of the local Christmas Parades scheduled for Friday. The Bear Creek Christmas parade has been rescheduled for Saturday, December 15 at 5:30 with lineup at 5 pm. The Christmas tree lighting ceremony will immediately follow the parade with refreshments at the Police Department. The Bear Creek Civitan Club is having a bean supper following the parade at the Bobby Bishop Center.

The Haleyville Chamber of Commerce rescheduled date has not been set at this time.

Grant to Pay for 88 Certified Victim Service Officers at District Attorneys’ Offices. Approximately %150,000 for Winston and Marion Counties

District Attorney Scott Slatton, Governor Kay Ivey, Victim Service Officer Gena Holloway, Victim Service Officer Tammy Miller

Gov. Kay Ivey today announced the awarding of a $6.23 million state grant that will allow Alabama District Attorneys to hire 88 Certified Victim Service Officers to assist victims of crime.

Speaking at a news conference this afternoon in the Old House Chamber, Ivey noted the need for more assistance for crime victims.

“The criminal justice system can seem intimidating to people who have been victims of crime,” the Governor said. “I am pleased to support this program, which will provide knowledgeable professionals to help crime victims understand the court process and ensure that victims are aware of other community resources that may further assist them.” Continue reading