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.   

Continue reading

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.

The Haleyville and Craft Fire Departments were called to extract a man trapped under his overturned tractor on Highway 129, at 3:33 p.m. Wednesday. L.V. McCarley, age 88, was using a box attachment and clearing an area in his backyard when the tractor overturned. Mr. McCarley was transported to the UAB hospital in Birmingham by Air Evac Helicopter. According to witnesses, his injuries were not life-threatening. Continue reading

Craig Thomas, a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Haleyville Fire Department was recently recognized by the Board of Directors of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) for achieving 20 consecutive years of National EMS Certification. This distinction is an honor held by few EMS professionals.

To maintain his status as a Nationally Registered Paramedic, Craig completed, on a biennial basis, the most comprehensive recertification program for EMS professionals in America.

By maintaining his National EMS Certification and completing regular continuing education courses, Craig has demonstrated his commitment to providing exceptional prehospital emergency medical care.

Craig was National Registered as a Paramedic in 1997 and has been serving Haleyville and Winston County since 1994. Craig is also a Firefighter/Paramedic for United States Steel Fairfield Works Emergency Services and a Paramedic for Regional Paramedical Services.

The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians serves as the National EMS Certification organization by providing a valid, uniform process to assess the knowledge and skills required for competent practice by EMS professionals throughout their careers and by maintaining a registry of certification status.

Everyone is invited to attend the Community Thanksgiving Service on November 19th at 6:00 p.m. at Haleyville First Baptist Church.

Veterans Day was Saturday, November 11, but local veterans were honored throughout the week starting with a program at the First United Methodist Church Monday. Thursday was the veterans program at the High School. Saturday was a lunch at the American Legion. The laying of the wreath at the Veterans Memorial was followed by a parade downtown. The events honored living veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the present day conflicts in the Middle East. The American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) were the leading organizations whose purpose is to honor our veterans and keep patriotism alive. A job that was well done. Veterans Day photo album below.  Continue reading