Applications for this year’s Haleyville Rotary Club Toys for Kids program can be picked up at Traders & Farmers, Pinnacle, and First National Banks, Alabama Power, State Farm, and the Haleyville Police Station. Applications must be turned back in by close of business on Monday, November 27. Toy pickup will be Friday, December 8, 4 to 6 pm at Paradise 92.7 located on Highway 13 North between 8th and 9th Avenues.

THE PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN MUST BE THE PERSON PICKING UP TOYS.  ALABAMA ID AND SIGNATURE REQUIRED

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– HB

Thanksgiving Day 23th will be picked up on Wednesday, Nov. 22nd, Friday 24th will be picked up on Monday, Nov. 27th. Thanks for every your cooperation.

Steve Clapp, President/CEO of Curae Health (http://www.curaehealth.org/leadership-board-of-directors/), a Tennessee not for profit company announced last Friday the company’s plan to close Lakeland Hospital in Haleyville December 31. This unexpected announcement created a shock wave through the community. City Hall was packed Monday night at the regular council meeting as several citizens and doctors gave many reasons why the hospital should stay open.

Tuesday afternoon the reasons for the closing were presented in the form of a power point presentation by Mr. Clapp. It was basically an economic decision. Income did not match the expenses including debt retirement. Lakeland is one of three hospitals in NW Alabama owned by Curae. Russellville and Winfield, both larger facilities, will remain open. Mr. Clapp was asked if closing Lakeland would benefit the other two hospitals. Not intentionally was the reply. Many questions were raised, but the biggest and reoccurring question was what can be done, if anything, about keeping the hospital open.

Congressman Robert Aderholt was present and promised all the support he could give, including attempting to get an extension on a USDA loan to extend the closure in order to find a solution. Aderholt stated it may be possible to get a waiver on the distance requirement from other hospitals to convert to a Critical Access Hospital (CAH). Lakeland is less than one mile too close to the Hamilton Hospital, thus a waiver would be necessary to operate as a CAH.

Mayor Ken Sunseri stated other possible solutions are being explored, including finding another buyer. Mayor Sunseri has communicated with investors who were interested, but no firm offers yet. Mayor Sunseri is attempting to find a solution quick enough to avoid an actual closure and the loss of jobs at the end of December. More photos click below

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The Haleyville City Hall was filled to capacity Monday night with doctors, concerned citizens, and the CEO and employees of Lakeland Community Hospital and many concerned citizens as a result of the announced closing of Lakeland. Before the regular council session, Mayor Sunseri asked for comments from the packed room. Several spoke expressing their grief, sorrow, and apprehension over the closure. All had nothing but praise for the hospital. One testimony came from the very first patient at the ER in 1969, Gary Mize. Terry Fannin talked about being a patient this year and the great service provided by the nurses and staff at Lakeland.

The question on everyone’s mind was how do we keep the hospital open. One suggestion by Dr. Jerry Harrison was to do what Red Bay did. A critical access hospital, one which would retain the ER and have a limited bed hospital.

Following the public hearing, the council approved the October bills and purchase orders in the amount of $421,831.02. Approval was made to purchase two pool pumps to include installation for $1,100. With the discovery there was a better surface material than previously thought for the playground area at the new sports complex, the council voted to reject all bids based on the old material.

The next Haleyville City Council meeting will be Monday, December 4.   

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Thanks to Al.com for the reminder.

Employees were notified Friday morning, November 17, the Lakeland Community hospital would close on December 31.

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Robert Aderholt today released the following statement after learning that Lakeland Hospital in Haleyville, Alabama will close at the end of this year.

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the closing of Lakeland Hospital.  As the only hospital in Winston County, its closure will be felt far outside of Haleyville.  In addition to the Haleyville community, and the entire area being impacted, dozens of people will lose their jobs at what should be a joyous time of year.

“I am reaching out to the mayor and other local leaders to see how my office can best help find a solution to this closure.

“Obamacare continues to lead to fewer choices and fewer hospitals, particularly in rural America.  This makes the fact the House passed a repeal plan this year only to see it fail in the Senate, all the more disappointing and devastating.”

According to hospital officials, approximately 87 employees will be affected. Lakeland employees will be given priority to fill open positions at other area hospitals in the same network and employees will be assisted in identifying other healthcare entities in the area when seeking employment.

A domestic dispute Thursday afternoon on Winston County Road 6 ended with one woman in the hospital and one man in jail. Michael Whitman, who lives in the Rabbit Town Community was reportedly in a dispute with Sara Prescott of Walker County in Whitman’s vehicle. Sara got out of the vehicle and was walking down the road when Whitman pulled up next to her and shot her in the thigh through his passenger window with a 22 cal rifle. An 18-wheeler driver and neighbors saw Prescott on the road and called 9-1-1. The Winston County Sheriff’s Off office, Double Springs Police, Double Springs and Ashridge Fire Departments and RPS Ambulance responded. Prescott was transported by helicopter to UAB where is listed in stable condition. Whitman was later arrested in Double Springs and is being held in the Winston County jail.

The Haleyville Lady Lions Varsity Basketball team defeated Red Bay 53-51 in the season opener at the HHS gym Thursday night. The Boys Varsity Lions defeated Red Bay 59-44. The teams will be playing in a couple of tournaments during the Thanksgiving Week and the next regular game for the Varsity Girls and Boys will be Monday, November 27, at Wilson and Tuesday at Hamilton. The next home games will be Thursday, November 30 against Russellville.

Evelyn Logan, 88, escaped serious injuries when her Kia Sportage overturned in a ditch on Highway 13 North at 5:40 Wednesday afternoon. A witness stated it appeared Logan was attempting to turn off Highway 13 onto 9th Avenue and misjudged where the intersection was located. She was extracted upside down vehicle by members of the Haleyville Fire Department with the help of Haleyville Police Sergeant Rodney Shirley and transported to the Lakeland ER by ambulance.