Debbie Tidwell standing and Stacy Palmer sitting, Winston County 9-1-1 Dispatchers

The Winston County E 9-1-1 Communications District has recently completed an equipment upgrade project that included a Next-Generation 9-1-1 Call Taking solution along with a Computer Aided Dispatch and Mapping application that will enhance the Districts ability to gather and maintain accurate dispatch data and prepare for future Next-Generation capabilities as they become available. The District expended funds in the amount of $233,587.74 collectively for the new systems.

The District contracted with Ryan Public Safety Solutions (RPSS) for the purchase, installation and maintenance services of the new equipment.   The Call Taking solution is an Airbus VESTA 9-1-1 solution that will deliver 9-1-1 and administrative call processing capabilities from a fully integrated Internet Protocol (IP) soft switch that will also provide complete redundancy in operation.    

A new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Mapping solution from GeoConex is also part of the new configuration and will enhance the dispatching capabilities of both dispatchers and supervisory personnel.  The application aids in identifying the location of the caller and can easily distinguish the status of active calls, while recording various status times, radio communications history, and historical calls.  This multipurpose tool also allows the dispatcher the ability so schedule pre-planned events and automated reporting capabilities that will improve ISO communications ratings.

Eaton/Wright-Line was awarded the contract for dispatch consoles for the center to accommodate the equipment upgrade. Eaton/Wright-Line is a leader in the design and manufacture of sophisticated communications consoles that are designed to accommodate current and emerging technology in emergency communications and dispatch.

The comprehensive system has been in the planning phase by District Director Tim Webb for almost two years with the support and approval of the District’s Board of Directors. With the advent of the new system, the District will migrate away from paper documents and move to digital storage for almost every phase of daily operations. The IP-based system is capable of utilizing the developing statewide ANGEN network that will replace the current 9-1-1 network that has been used since the early inception of 9-1-1.

The new upgrade replaces a legacy system that had been in operation since 2003 and the consoles replace built-in cabinetry in use since 1999.

Ryan Public Safety Solutions staff has over 75 years of design, installation, and maintenance experience in the emergency communications industry and is located in Guntersville Alabama.

Airbus VESTA 9-1-1 is a product of Airbus Defense and Space and is a world leader in NextGen communications systems.

GeoConex Corporation has been serving the public safety industry since 2001. GeoConex is a leading integrator of Public Safety and Homeland Security systems and is located in Knoxville Tennessee.

– Tim Webb, Director, Winston County 9-1-1.

Emily Johnson, new Assistant Principal and Christy Bice, Principal of Haleyville Elementary

 The Haleyville City Schools Board of Education met Tuesday with Beth McAlpine absent. The Board approved the following items on the agenda.

The financial statements and board expenditures for June in the amount of $1,432,184.67.

Amendments to the Instructional Policy.

Breakfast workers assignment.

Lunchroom a la carte prices.

Service agreements for the 2016 football season.

An amendment to the HHS Fee Schedule.

In addition, the board approved the use of three school facilities, one field trip, and seven fund-raisers.

In personnel, the Board approved hiring Emily Johnson as assistant Principal at the Haleyville Elementary School. Suzanne Caldwell was hired as Special Education Teacher for Haleyville High.

A Probationary Principal Contract for HES was approved for Christy Bice.

The teachers and staff will return to the school on August 4 with the first day for students on August 10. The next meeting of the Haleyville City Schools Board of Education will be Tuesday, August 23.

The Haleyville City Council met Monday afternoon for their regular bi-monthly meeting with Jonathan Bennett absent. The council approved the May general operation bills in the amount of 417,856.01. Not on the agenda, but brought up by acting city clerk Debra Hood, the need for new accounting software and computers to run it on. She stated she had checked with the Alabama League of Municipalities and the recommendations of other cities as to the software they were using and the support available. A motion was made and he decision of the council was made to purchase new software for $26,611.00 plus an additional $11,000 per year for support. An additional $12,393.00 to a local company, Jen-Eric for new computers. The first year total will be $50,0004 for the new computers, software, and support.

The next meeting of the Haleyville City Council will be Monday, August 1, 5:30 at the City Hall.

Marcel Weaver, the father of Haleyville Fire Chief Phillip Weaver, was reportedly struck by lightning about noon on Thursday while he was working on his lawn mower at his home in South Haleyville. He was transported to a Birmingham hospital where he was sedated and remained overnight under observation. According to family members, Marcel is at home and doing well.

A reminder, remain vigilant as to the dangers of lightning. Do not stand under trees or even outdoors during a thunderstorm which contains lightening.

Haleyville Police made a routine traffic stop on Saturday morning, July 9 at 2:14 a.m. on Pounders and Sims Roads off of Highway 195. The Toyota Camry was stopped because the officer noticed an equipment failure on the vehicle. After approaching the vehicle an open container of alcohol was seen by the officer. The driver and passenger were asked to get out of the vehicle. A large plastic bag containing 1.5 pounds of marijuana with a loaded 9 mm pistol laying on top was seen by the officers. A further search revealed a bag containing 112 grams of crystal methamphetamine in a more concentrated form of “ice.

Arrested on the scene and taken to the Winston County Jail were Luis Andres Castro Sandoval, 25, 1116 5th Avenue, Haleyville, and Jose Rodriguez, 25, 12317 Pounders and Sims Road, Haleyville. The charges against both were possession of marijuana/1st Degree, Drug Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of a controlled substance, and possession of stolen property/2nd degree. The pistol had been reported stolen locally two years ago.

Bail was set at $10,000 for each charge. Both bonded out later that weekend.

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Another fantastic 9-1-1 weekend in the books. Rain threatened early Friday night but held until noon on Saturday thus the concert and all the activities became another success story for the City of Haleyville.

Friday night the crowd continued to build into the evening in the parking lot behind the Haleyville library. On the 9-1-1 Festival stage, a new group of teen-aged girls known as Sweet Tea Trio welcomed the crowd with an acapella version of the National Anthem. The local group Tremayne opened the musical show, followed by Winston Ramble, Sweet Tea Trio and at 9 p.m. the headliner Lonestar brought the huge crowd to its feet with not only their hit song Amazed, but also several songs by Pink Floyd, Styx, and the Eagles.

An estimated record crowd of 5,000 plus came to the free concert. Street vendors, an antique car and tractor shows, musical entertainment and the annual 9-1-1 and HHS alumni parade provided much more on Saturday.