Miss Victoria Roose, Haleyville Rotary Club Miss 9-1-1 2018

Friday afternoon, the weather cleared and the music began on the stage downtown Haleyville. The crowd grew into the thousands to hear local musicians and the headliner, Craig Morgan.

The main street came alive Saturday morning with more music in a vacant lot of where V.J. Elmore’s once stood. At 10, the Haleyville High Alumni and emergency responder vehicles provided a huge parade around town.

HHS Class of 1968 won the attendance Award at the Alumni Luncheon

The HHS Alumni luncheon at the HMS cafeteria was the scene for as the annual Service Award was presented to David Godsey and the Alumnus of the Year Award to Dana Wallace.

Dana Wallace, with Debbie Wood, President of the HHS Alumni Association

The HHS Alumni Association Service Award was presented to David Godsey.

On Friday, June 1, a reenactment of the original call was made by the men who are presently in the same office as 50 years ago. On February 16, 1968, it was U.S. Congressman Tom Bevill and Alabama Speaker of the House Rankin Fite. Thursday, it was Congressman Robert Aderholt and Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon making a call with from the office of Mayor Ken Sunseri to the Haleyville Police Department through the 9-1-1 office in Double Springs.

Thursday, May 31, was a busy day at the Haleyville City Hall where presentations were made on the history of 9-1-1, the first phone call 50 years ago, the status of 9-1-1 today, and the future of the system. FYI, the immediate future will encompass the use of text in making that emergency call. An announcement was made by Craig Floyd, President, and CEO of the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C. the historic phone used 50 years ago for the first 9-1-1 phone call will become part of a permanent display in the museum commemorating that call and the city of Haleyville.

Thursday evening at the awards banquet at the Armed Forces Training Center, eleven responders were presented with flags by Congressman Robert Aderholt which had flown over the U.S. Capitol. Those awards were for Officer/Deputy/Trooper of the year, Rodney Lewis, Haleyville, Deputy Chief Jon Tidwell, Double Springs, and Jacob Taylor, WCSO. Fireman of the year, Dean Morgan, Haleyville and David Robins, Double Springs. Dispatcher of the year, Ron Alexander, Haleyville, Lynn Vickery, WCSO, and Debbie Tidwell, E911. Reserve Deputy/Officer of the year, Tim Williams, WCSO and Michael Brown, Double Springs. Rescue squad member of the year, Justin Cowens, Haleyville.

The Haleyville City Council met Tuesday afternoon with Blue Russell absent. The general operation bills and purchase orders were approved in the amount of $585,601.77. The Council approved the purchase of a pressure washer and chemicals for the street department. Several street paving projects in various parts of the city were approved, work to be done this summer.

Mayor Sunseri went over the schedule for several special events for Thursday through Saturday during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first 9-1-1 call in the U.S. One will be the reenactment of the first phone call made. A schedule of events on Friday and Saturday are below. Continue reading

You are invited to visit the Alabama bicentennial exhibit which opens in Haleyville Tuesday, May 29, at noon, downtown in the former location of Dixie Flowers.

With the sound of period cannons and rifles, the garrison sized Confederate Battle Flag was dedicated and raised to the top of a 100-foot flagpole on Saturday, May 26.  The flag and two statues were placed on private land and funded by the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Order of the Rose. It is located approximately 3 miles west of Double Springs on Highway 278. In speeches preceding the raising of the flag, it was pointed out that many of the Confederate monuments have been removed and this flag and monuments are in effect, a response to that movement to remove Civil War monuments found offensive to some. The dedication was for the men from Winston County who fought for the south.  More photos, click below. Continue reading

Baylie Kristian Sims, Salutatorian, Courtney Renae Eddy, Valedictorian

131 Haleyville High Seniors of the class of 2018 participated in the 109th Annual Commencement Exercises Friday night at the HHS Gym. Rain forced the ceremony into the gym where it was also projected on a large screen inside the cafeteria.

The HHS Mac McAlpine Award recipient Jon Luke Sauls presented by Dr. McCoy, HHS Principal

The Haleyville Schools Board of Education met Tuesday, May 22, with all members present. The first order of business was the election of officers. Barry Burleson was elected President of the Board and Steve Stout, Vice-President of the Board.

Expenditures for April was approved in the amount of $1,281,079.19. Amendments to the Haleyville City School Policies and Procedures Manual for School Library Media Centers were approved to be sent to personnel for input.

Three field trips and three fundraisers were approved. Amendments to the substitute Teachers list were approved.

Dwight Thomas representing the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4543 presented District 1 V.F.W. Citizenship Americanism Teacher first place awards to:

Sheynon Baggett for Grade K-5 Teacher of the Year

Beth Pugh Townsend for Grade 9-12 Teacher of the year

Allison Sigler – Grade 6-8 got 2nd place in the District but they only give an award for 1st. place

The personnel changes approved were quite extensive and can be found here:

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Fire destroyed an unoccupied house on 6th Avenue in South Haleyville just after midnight Tuesday morning, May 22. The Haleyville Fire Department responded quickly, but the structure was completely engulfed in flames when they arrived.