The Mega Millions Lottery is now in the $BILLIONS, what are your chances? If you rolled a die and hit 1 eleven times in a row, then you have some idea of the odds. With a story in mind, last Friday I drove to Tennessee from Haleyville just to see what the fuss was all about. round trip was about 3 hours. Just across and within feet of the Tennessee State line on Highway 43, I went in to make a purchase. It was very easy, once I was past all the people who had purchased and were checking their scratch-off tickets. The Mega Millions Lottery tickets were $2 each and I learned I could either fill out a card with all my favorite numbers, or I could let the computer select for me. I opted for the computer selection.

So far, no one has won and the prediction is, the total will be over $2 Billion by the Tuesday night drawing. Will I go back for more? Still thinking about it.

Who gets all the money paid in? It’s up to the sate, but in Tennessee, it goes to education. Alabama remains the only state in the south not having a lottery, but that is like saying Haleyville was dry until it went wet a few ago. I saw a parking lot full of vehicles at the  Tennessee convenience store where the tickets are sold, all with Alabama tags. My understanding is, a lottery may become a reality in Alabama sometime after the election in November. At least the citizens may have a chance to decide. Whether you believe we should have a lottery or not, the truth is, Alabama is losing a tremendous amount of money every day to our surrounding states. Let the folks in Montgomery know how you feel. I think it’s time we had a vote.  That’s my personal opinion, let your legislators know yours.

Members of the Haleyville Rescue Squad collected donations of food, water, and other supplies last Sunday for victims of Hurricane Michael witch devastated a huge area in the Florida panhandle and SW Georgia.  Aside from their parking duties, the Rescue Squad members also collected donations at the Haleyville/Fayette Football game Friday night. Saturday. members picked up items left at both O’Reiley’s and AutoZone during the week, then left for Florida in a filled 26-foot truck. Their destination was the Marianna Florida Evangel Church. The Church is feeding all the workers in that area including law enforcement and fire department personnel plus holding church service for everyone.

The Haleyville Rescue Squad thanks everyone who made a donation for the people who suffered from the loss of their homes and businesses from Hurricane Michael.

On Thursday, October 18, the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Marine Division pulled two vehicles out of Smith Lake. They were both recovered from the Lions Club Landing area of the lake, according to the Cullman Sheriff’s Department’s Facebook page.

The 2007 GMC Yukon and a late 80’s to early 90’s Mercury Grand Marquis appeared to have been in the lake for many years, with the Grand Marquis possibly being in the lake for decades.

Sheriff Matt Gentry said that is an ongoing investigation and they are working with ALEA to determine if the vehicles are stolen. He also indicated that the vehicles were found by fishermen who identified the vehicles on their depth finder before notifying law enforcement.

On 10/16/2018 at 6:00 PM the Quad Cities Trooper Post responded to a one-vehicle crash on CR 77 near CR 56 in Franklin County. The driver of the vehicle, Phil Campbell resident Ronnie Presley, 52, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Franklin County Coroner. The vehicle left the road and roll over entrapping Presley in the vehicle. Speed was a factor in the crash. Presley was alone in the vehicle.

The Haleyville City Council met Monday with Jonathan Bennett absent. The Council approved the operation bills and Purchase Orders for September in the amount of $507,134.60. At the recommendation of Police Chief Kyle Reogas, Elana Olan was hired as the Police Secretary.

Following a public hearing which preceded the council meeting on the Council approved a modification to the Planned Unit Development ordinance approved by the city in 2006 specifically for the Gardens, a development at Newburg Road the Airport Road. This development was originally started by Bob Masdon but has been purchased by Royce Benefield. The change allows the combining of lots but retains the same restrictions in terms of setbacks and spacing for any buildings on the lots.

A contract for street paving was awarded to the Central Alabama Asphalt & Construction Company in the amount of $157,974.60. A change order was also approved correcting an invoice error of a contract with Mallory Burkhalter Paving on work already done.

City Project Engineer, Calvin Cassady, asked the Council to approve the application for funding for two projects at the Haleyville Airport. One is for obstacle clearance on the approach ends of the runway and the other for security fencing.

The City of Bear Creek asked for an extenuation of 6 months for officer repayment for an officer who transferred to the Bear Creek Police Department.

The next meeting of the Haleyville City Council will be on Monday, November 5.

The Haleyville Rotary Club recently donated $3600 to the three Haleyville Schools. Each school received $1200 from the Rotary BBQ dinner held before the first home football game. The Rotary Club and the schools thank everyone who purchased a ticket and helped with this project.

Show above, Rotarian Don Dimond, HHS Principal, Dr. McCoy, HES Principal, Christy Bice, HMS Principal, Bo Wilcoxen, Candy Marbutt, Rotarian Mike Evans, and the top ticket salesperson, Shelby Shipman.

Haleyville High School varsity football player Jackson Kennedy makes a touchdown in the second quarter. Haleyville lost to Good Hope 23-7. The Lions play Fayette this @ Haleyville.

The historic red 9-1-1 telephone which belongs to the City of Haleyville used for the first 9-1-1 phone call in the nation did not go to the Smithsonian as originally planned. Restrictions placed on the phone by the Smithsonian did not allow the city of Haleyville to “borrow” it back for special occasions. The phone found another home at the new National Law Enforcement Museum which opens this weekend in Washington. D.C. The Haleyville Area Chamber of Commerce President Mike Evans is in Washington for the grand opening celebrations. Mike had the privilege to present Clint Eastwood with one of the City of Haleyville 9-1-1 coin.

The 8th Annual Empty Bowls dinner was held Thursday evening at the Double Springs City Hall. A packed house enjoyed many different kinds of soups and took home a unique Winston County hand-made bowl. This annual event raises money for two non-profit organizations, Main Street Ministries and the Winston County Arts Council. Lots of first-timers and the hundreds who have made this a not to miss event enjoyed the many kinds of delicious soups and cookies and the chance to visit with friends. If you did not attend this year, make plans to go next October. It may be a year away, but you do not want to miss this great event.

Madison Cain tips the ball to retrieve a point in the first set. Haleyville High School varsity volleyball team wins best ⅗ area games. The final score was 3-1.