For the fourth year in a row, the Phillips High School She Bears claimed the 1-A Area 12 Championship over Belgreen by the score of 51-47. The She Bears will host the Covenant Christian Lady Eagles in the Sub-regional matchup on Monday night at 5:30 p.m. in Bear Creek. The PHS She Bears are the defending 1-A State Champions.

Congratulations to the HHS Varsity Boys and Girls Basketball teams for winning the Area Championships this past week. On to Regional play which begins Monday night for the girls and Tuesday night for the Boys, both home games.

The CITY OF HALEYVILLE, AL

POSITION AVAILABLE:  (SEASONAL) Park and Recreation Department

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:  Must be physically fit and able to perform strenuous work (weed eating, heavy lifting, etc.) in all types of weather. Must have a valid Alabama Drivers License and be over 18 years of age.

This is a temporary Seasonal position. Applications may be picked up at the Neighborhood Facility Building at 1205 10th Avenue. Call 486-3532 for more information.

Closing date for accepting applications is February 25, 2020, at 5 p.m. E.O.E. – A.D.O.

An incident Monday, February 3, involving a stolen Sheriff’s SUV, taken by a trustee/inmate of the Winston County Jail and the ensuing crash of the vehicle and recapture of the inmate. The following is a public statement by Sheriff Horace Moore:

I do not believe in cover-ups or sweeping issues under the rug. I told the citizens of Winston County I would keep them informed after my appointment”, Sheriff Moore said. I had an incident yesterday evening at the sheriff’s office that I will explain. Around 4:00 pm all my deputies, investigators, chief deputy and myself began our monthly Safety Training Meeting. After our meeting was finished, around 5:00 pm, we discovered a trustee had driven off in one of the sheriff’s office patrol vehicles. At that time, we locked down the jail and compound and discovered the trustee, Wesley Aldridge, who was working as the shop mechanic, was the only one missing. Dispatch informed me that Decatur Police had Aldridge stopped on highway 31, just east of Decatur. Myself, Chief Deputy Rodgers, Deputy Jonathan Oliver, Deputy Josh Silas, and Investigator Caleb Snoddy headed to Decatur to help and assist Decatur Police and begin conducting our investigation of the incident. After arriving on the scene, we found Aldridge had wrecked the patrol vehicle and sideswiped another vehicle. Decatur Police had Aldridge under arrest and in custody. No one was seriously injured. The person in the vehicle Aldridge sideswiped was taken to a local hospital for observation. “Thank God no one was seriously injured”, Moore said. No deputy or sheriff employee was involved. Aldridge faces multiple charges from Decatur Police and many charges from the Winston County Sheriff’s Office. “He will spend years in prison”, Moore said. “I will not rest until that happens. I will do everything I can to speed the process.” Decatur Police has Aldridge in custody now.
We arrived back at the jail and conducted our investigation on the grounds of the jail. As a result, four inmates from work release and two trustees were placed back into jail. These inmates will no longer be on work release or receive trustee status. The location of our jail makes it hard to secure the compound as it should be but security is a huge concern with me. I want to sit down with the county commission and work with them on more fencing. I will change existing policies and procedures on safety and security. No work release or trustee visitation will be allowed for the next two weeks. More changes will be made as well. “The vehicle that Aldridge wrecked was one of the older models, but still in use”. Moore said.
“This case is still under investigation by the Decatur Police and the Winston County Sheriff’s Office,” Moore said.

The Haleyville City Council met Monday, February 3 with Jonathan Bennett absent. The Council approved the naming of the creek which flows through Rocky Ravine Park to be called Rocky Raine Creek. The Council approved a change order for a CDBG project, receiving quotes for a tractor and mower for the airport, a tax abatement for Gumbo and Jazz, and a pay increase for the Mayor and Council.

The Mayor’s pay will be increased from $1000/mo to $20,800, paid 800 bi-weekly with the Council pay being raised from $200/mo to $400/mo. The new pay scale is in line with other cities the same size of Haleyville, and some smaller. The pay raise will not become effective until the next administration.

The Council approved the purchase of a trailer for the Street and Sanitation Department for $1500 from the city of Muscle Shoals.

The next city City Council meeting will be on Tuesday, February 18 due to Presidents Day on Monday, February 17. The meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. at the Haleyville City Hall.

The Haleyville City Schools Board of Education met Tuesday, January 28, with all members present. The Board approved the purchase of a refurbished Genie scissor lift for $16,750. A bid from Synergetics Diversified Computer Services for Access Points and Equipment for $43,375 was approved contingent on E-Rate approved funding. A bid for Network Core Switches and Equipment in the amount of $51,975.41 from Information Transport Solutions was approved, contingent on E-rate approved funding.

The Board approved an agreement between the HCBOE and the HPD and the City of Haleyville for one school resource officer. The Board approved the expenditures for December 2019, in the amount of $1,484,471.66. The 2020 spring sports schedules were approved in addition to three use of facilities requests, nine field trips, and ten fundraisers.

Under personnel, Christine Engle was hired as a part-time lunchroom worker Melissa “Missy” Taylor as a full-time lunchroom worker. The resignation of Dustin Ball as an HHS assistant football coach was approved. Catastrophic leave for Sharon Davis, a HES teacher, was approved. Alabama State Representative Tracy Estes had a Resolution adopted by the Alabama House of Representatives which recognized the Haleyville City School system for earning the Advanced STEM certification. Estes was unable to attend the meeting, accepting on behalf of the schools were Holly Sutherland, Superintendent of Education and Candice Gardner, HCS District STEM Coach, and HHS Assistant Principal.

This month, the student “Serve With Pride” Awards honored Kyle Rushing.

Kyle Rushing, Hallie Reece Pugh, Christy Bice, Principal HES

Rushing, Noah Frazier, Bice

Rushing, Madie Wilson, Bo Wilcoxen, Principal HMS

Rushing, Sadie Brazell, Wilcoxen

Candace Gardner, HHS Asst Principal, Lilly Rushing, Kyle Rushing, Mallory Rushing, John McCullar, HCOT.

This is page 1 and 2 sample ballot for the March 3 Republican Primary. Register. vote. Your vote counts  See you at the polls!

POSITION AVAILABLE: STREET & SANITATION DEPARTMENT

JOB QUALIFICATIONS: Must be physically fit and able to perform strenuous work in all types of weather.  Must have a valid Alabama driver’s license and be able to acquire Class A CDL license within 6 months and be able to operate heavy equipment.

Applications may be picked up at the Haleyville City Hall.  E.O.E. – A.D.O.

POSITION AVAILABLE: VOLUNTEER FIREMAN

JOB QUALIFICATIONS: Must be physically fit and able to perform strenuous work in all types of weather. Must have a valid Alabama Drivers License. Must be over 18 years of age. Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.

APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE: City Hall or Fire Station #1 in Haleyville, AL

Return all applications to Fire Station #1 at 610 State Hwy 13.

Call 205.486.2435 if you need further information. E.O.E. – A.D.O.

Haleyville native Doug Kennedy, who will be inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame at on May 2 was honored with a State of Alabama Proclamation presented by Representative Tracy Estes at the City Council meeting Tuesday, January 21. In the photo above Estes, Doug, members of his family and friend Jimmy Masdon. See the ASHOF story here: http://hbtv.us/News-for-Haleyville/doug-kennedy-selected-for-the-ashof/

In other business, the Council approved the operation bills and POs for December in the amount of $565,654.16. Next, the Council approved the purchase of a new pumper fire truck for the Haleyville Fire Department, which will cost almost $270,000 with accessories. With a build time of 14 months, the truck will not be delivered until 2021.

The Council approved a small paving project that includes paving only of an area on 26^th Street (behind Lion’s Pride station) from State Route 13 right-of-way east for roughly 350 linear feet long by 44 linear feet wide.  And, for milling (if required) and paving of a 20 linear foot wide area on 30^th Street from State Route 195 west for about 1,250 linear feet to Elizabeth Street.  Paving of both described areas is estimated to cost approximately $63,920.

The next Haleyville City Council meeting will be Monday, February 3, at City Hall.