Hannah Bates was killed in an OHV wreck at Stony Lonesome OHV Park in Bremen on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018 / Photo courtesy of Facebook

BREMEN - A Cullman woman was killed in an incident at Stony Lonesome OHV Park early Saturday evening. Cullman County Coroner Jeremy L. Kilpatrick, who confirmed the death Saturday, identified the victim as Hannah Nicole Bates, 21. Kilpatrick said Bates died at the scene.

Stony Lonesome is a park for OHV, or "off-highway vehicles." It is owned by Cullman County and operated by Cullman County Parks and Recreation (CCP&R).

“It happened within minutes of the park closing, I think they were probably on their way back to check out,” said Doug Davenport, CCP&R director.

Davenport said the wreck occurred on a hill on one of the designated trails. He said the OHV involved was a RZR 900. The victim was a passenger. The driver was not hurt.

According to Davenport, where the wreck happened, “It doesn’t look like speed or anything would be a factor.”

“It’s a tragic event. There wasn’t a race.”

Davenport said it appears the victim was not wearing a seat belt.

Of the park employees, he said, “We’ve got a great bunch of people up there. It affects them. It affects them personally. They just talked to his person checking them in. They’re taking it pretty tough."

Cullman County Attorney Chad Floyd issued the following statement Saturday night:

"It is with heavy hearts that the Cullman County Commission and the staff of the Stony Lonesome OHV Park must report that one of our patrons lost their life today in an unfortunate trail riding accident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the individual involved in this terrible tragedy. The Park will remain closed through at least Wednesday, February 28, 2018."

On Monday, Floyd issued the following statement:

“At this time, the Cullman County Commission has no further information to release concerning the accident that occurred at Stony Lonesome OHV Park this weekend. Presently, the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation into the incident. Our continued thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the young woman who lost her life on Saturday night.”

When reached for comment on Monday afternoon, Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry said, “We are conducting an investigation at this time of the incident. Due to it being an ongoing investigation we are limited on the details we can release. My heart and prayers go out to the family over this tragic incident.” 

This death is the third at the park in less than a year. Back on April 22, 2017, Lawrence Richey, 34, of Smiths Grove, Kentucky and Erin Duncan, 22, of Elkins, Arkansas were killed as the result of an ATV crash.

Stony Lonesome is located at 10075 Alabama Highway 69 South in Bremen.

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Cullman City Council President and 2018 Alabama Senate candidate Garlan Gudger, left, took part in a meeting on Monday with Hanceville business leaders, Hanceville Mayor Kenneth Nail, Baileyton Mayor Johnny Dyar and Holly Pond Mayor Bill Oliver to discuss growth in smaller communities. / W.C. Mann

HANCEVILLE - Hanceville-area business leaders sat down with Cullman City Council President and 2018 Alabama Senate candidate Garlan Gudger and Hanceville Mayor Kenneth Nail on Monday to talk about growing and promoting the county’s smaller communities. Joining them were Baileyton Mayor Johnny Dyar and Holly Pond Mayor Bill Oliver. Gudger was invited by the City of Hanceville.

Nail explained, “We have this downtown meeting this time of the month, every month.  We’ve had it for several years, just to bring local folks in and kick around ideas and see how we can better serve our community and how we can make Hanceville a better place.

“And we thought it would be a good thing to bring Garlan Gudger in.  Cullman’s done a great job in promoting Cullman, and of course I know he’s running for senate; so we felt like that, with his expertise and the great job that Cullman’s done in promoting Cullman, that maybe he could get on board with us.”

The mayors and business leaders took the opportunity to bounce ideas off Gudger and each other; with topics focusing on:

developing infrastructure to attract business and industry - including roads, utilities access and high-speed internet access
developing Hanceville’s downtown as a destination for day tourists and shoppers
promoting and marketing the distinct features that the Hanceville area already has - including Wallace State, the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, the county’s only industrial park located on a railroad line and a rapidly-reviving downtown

One of the main subjects of conversation centered on a map on the mayor’s conference table showing the three current routes from Interstate 65 to Hanceville (US Highway 31, Alabama Highway 91 and Beech Grove Road), and a proposed straight-line route from Hanceville to the I-65 interchange at Dodge City.

“The main thing that we wanted to see,” said Nail, “was how (Gudger) would feel about this new access road that we want to build from Hanceville to the Dodge City exit.  Everybody knows Beech Grove Road is just so crooked, and by building a new road--and it might even partially join where the old road is in certain places--but we should be able to cut that road down.  It’s almost 9 miles from Dodge City to Hanceville (on Beech Grove Road), and we can cut it down to about 4 miles, maybe a little bit less, if we had a new road.  

“And so we think, for the commerce of south Cullman County which--folks going to Holly Pond or Baileyton, or Fairview--it would just be a lot better route, you know, cut right down 91.  But right now, it’s not a real good way of getting into Hanceville.  You know, we have thousands of cars that’s going to Wallace State, and a lot from Walker County that’s coming through.  We think that that would definitely help.

“I think that (Gudger)’s on board with that, of course, if he gets elected.  But we’re just trying to promote our area.”

Later, Gudger sat down with The Tribune to talk about his visit to Hanceville.

“They really just wanted to have an ear and a voice, if I’m honored enough to be elected.  I feel like I have worked with council members and mayors in my elected career for the last 14 years.  For the last 14 years, I’ve dealt with councilmen, and I have dealt with planning commissions, and I have dealt with mayors,” said Gudger.

“And (Hanceville) wanted someone to listen to them, and be able to be a voice for them, if I’m elected to go down to Montgomery.  And so I was invited by the planning commission to come down, and after they had talked to Mayor Nail, he invited a few more mayors to be there.  And the meeting was really just a visioning process of where they are, what their plans are, what they’re wanting to focus on in the future, and am I on board for that.  And then also how am I going to work in the county, because I’ve had my city hat on.  And I think it was very evident to everyone in the room that my job for the last 14 years is to represent the constituents in the city of Cullman which elected me.  

“But it’s very evident that if I’m elected to a larger district, which is all of Cullman County and Winston, Marion and Lawrence County; that district grows, and I will take care of everybody within that whole district, not just Cullman city.  And I think that fear was relieved after talking to me today.  And I had a call from one of the mayors, saying, ‘I really appreciate you coming down, and I feel good about what you were saying, and we’re going to be able to work together.’  And I think that’s the biggest thing that I can convey: is that I’m out there to build a consensus and build a group that we can, you know, work together going forward if I get to be able to be a senator.”

What do you think will be the first step for Hanceville?

“Not only for Hanceville, but for most of the communities, is realizing that they have a voice in Montgomery, number one, if I can be honored enough to work for them.  Number two, that they have to work together.  It was said in the meeting today from one of the planning commission members that it seemed like we’ve always circled the troops against the other municipalities in the county, and kind of was territorial.  And that’s not the way to handle going into the future.

“The reason the city of Cullman has worked so well is that we’ve been good partners with people that we have grown with: the hospital, the chamber, Wallace State Community College, parks and rec, and the city government, the county government.  And we want to continue to do that in the county.

“We need to know what their goals are, do an analysis of exactly where they are and where they want to go, and then from that, what resources we have to get there.  And if there’s a way that we’re able to exponentially get them there faster through funding or through grants, or through just meeting with the right consultants, then that’s part of my job, if elected, to help them.”

Continued Gudger, “I enjoy seeing growth and progress, whether that’s in the city of Cullman that I’ve helped lead over the last 14 years, or whether that’s going to be in Hanceville, or that’s going to be in Holly Pond, or Baileyton, Cold Springs, Fairview, Colony, Winston County, Marion County, Lawrence County; I want to continue to see that on a larger scale, and so I’m excited about what this step will do for me if I’m honored enough to be there.”

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The Good Hope City Council passed a resolution Monday night to allow Mayor Jerry Bartlett, right, to enter into an agreement with AGCOR Steel. / Nick Griffin

GOOD HOPE - AGCOR Steel is moving to Good Hope. The Good Hope City Council on Monday night passed a resolution allowing Mayor Jerry Bartlett to enter an agreement with the company. AGCOR, which will build on 53 acres on Industrial Drive, will be Good Hope’s first manufacturer. Bartlett said the company will add up to 20 new jobs and is expected to have annual sales of $8-$10 million.  

AGCOR’s move is the result of a joint effort between the City of Good Hope, City of Cullman and Cullman County. AGCOR is spending $400,000 on the project, with the three local governments each providing $133,333 in tax incentives, said Bartlett.

AGCOR, a manufacturer of metal building components, was being wooed by the city of Gadsden before this deal was put into place.

“They outgrew their place in Vinemont, but they wanted to stay in Cullman,” said Bartlett. “They went to the (Cullman County) Commission, and they found them a place in Berlin, and there was a big to-do about that. They met with (Rep.) Corey (Harbison) and myself. Gadsden really wanted them. But (owner) Zac (Smith) is from Cullman, and he likes Cullman and he wanted to be in Cullman. I think Gadsden was making them some offers of some land. Basically, what we gave them, they already had that in hand from Gadsden. I told Corey, we just can’t compete with that. Zac went to (Cullman Economic Development Agency Director) Dale Greer. The more we sat down and ran the numbers, the more it really made sense.”

Bartlett said Cullman County Economic Development Director Cherrie Haney, Cullman County Commission Chairman Kenneth Walker, Harbison, Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs, Smith and himself all came together in Good Hope to hammer out the details.

“They bought 53 acres here in Good Hope, over on Industrial Drive, and that land was $400,000. So, we divided that by three,” said Bartlett. “We’re only giving them a portion of what they produce, so this is not going to hurt anybody. So out of what they produce, and it’s projected $8-$10 million in the first year. Based on those figures, it’s going to be paid off, we’re giving them eight years, it’s going to be paid off probably before that. In the unlikelihood that they didn’t produce what they say, we give them a half cent off what they produce, and at the end of eight years, if they haven’t produced enough to pay back the $400,000, we’ve fulfilled our part. The premise is we’re creating a pile of money here, and we’re going to give them back a small portion of it over a while and then after that it’s all for the city of Good Hope, and the city of Cullman and Good Hope, because we all share in what they produce.”

So what does all of this mean for Good Hope?

“It promotes our local economic and commercial development, stimulates the local economy, increases employment opportunities, it means the expansion of our infrastructure and the expansion of the city’s tax base, which results in increased tax revenue,” said Bartlett.

“Good Hope is supplying them (AGCOR) with a pump station through our sewer expansion. That’s an extra $250,000. We are applying for a Community Development Block Grant for that. The cogs are already turning on that.”

Revenue from Good Hope’s new half-cent sales tax is being used for the city’s portion of the tax incentive.

“We recently passed a half-cent sales tax here to come in line with a majority of the other municipalities,” said the mayor. “When we did that, (Councilwoman) Susan Eller recommended that we put that half-cent sales tax in a separate account and earmark it for economic development. We did that. So now, this money that we passed that (resolution) for is going toward that project.”

Shared Bartlett, “Dale Greer and Cherrie Haney have both helped in this, along with the city and the county, and Corey’s been very helpful, along with my council. It’s very exciting for Good Hope.”

The City of Cullman and the Cullman County Commission will now have to pass resolutions so the arrangement with AGCOR will be finalized.

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Members of the Cullman County Commission at Tuesday's meeting, where Stony Lonesome OHV Park was the main topic of discussion / Nick Griffin

CULLMAN - The Cullman County Commission approved several rule changes for Stony Lonesome OHV Park Tuesday morning in response to a fatal wreck at the park on Saturday that claimed the life of 21-year-old Hannah Bates.

Cullman County Parks and Recreation Director Doug Davenport was at the meeting Tuesday to outline the new rules at the park, including: no coolers on the trails, required safety harnesses and seat belts and a stricter wristband policy.

“We’d like to revise the first section of our rules at Stony Lonesome. We’ve always had it where we check the armbands to make sure they had signed the waiver, we’d like to implement a stop and go where a patron comes into the park and before they go on the trail we actually stop and check to make sure they have their armband, they have their seatbelts on and that there’s no cooler. We’re not going to allow any coolers in the woods at all on any type of machine,” Davenport said. “This will be the first step of some things that we’d like to come forward with and make recommendations, so no one ever gets hurt again in our park if we can prevent that."

Davenport also offered his condolences to the Bates family.

“I know some of Ms. Bates’s family is here; I ask y’all to continue to pray for them and for our staff as well because this is not like somebody coming up to buy a car tag one time and you see them once a year; our employees see these patrons sometimes every week or a couple times a month so they’re like family to each other.”

Commission Chairman Kenneth Walker gave his condolences to the Bates family members in attendance as well and tried to reassure them that steps are being taken to make the park safer.

“I just want to let everyone know that our condolences go out to the Bates family and we are doing and have done everything we can to make that a safe place for a family event. We hate it and I’m sorry, our prayers go out to you and your family and if there’s anything we can do please let us know,” Walker said.

Bates’s father, Lionel Bates, was at the meeting and spoke from his seat directly to the commissioners. It was an emotional plea. Lionel Bates said he believes alcohol consumption in the park is the biggest problem.

“There’s plenty, there’s a whole lot of safety issues at this place. I can make you a long list if you need somebody to help you. If you want to go look yourself, there are a lot of safety issues there and alcohol is the worst one. Alcohol, apparently, is approved there, the staff drinks with them, the man who ran off the cliff couldn’t even stand up, but he was uninjured. Who monitors this?” Bates said.

He questioned the emergency response and medical capacities of the park.  

“How long did it take anybody to get there, rapid responders, what kind of safety equipment is in place? What kind of medical staff is in place? It happens frequently. How long did my daughter lay under this RZR? Hours? Could she get a breath?” he asked, visibly shaken. “Don’t let this happen to nobody else.”

He continued, “I’m not a stupid person, I understand a little about engineering myself and it’s terrible what’s been allowed to go on down there and I’m sorry for the other families that have lost their children, but if you could wear these shoes, you’d have a whole lot different understanding. I know you guys are the ones who can put it in place and get it done. We need help.”

Hannah Bates’s death was the third at Stony Lonesome in less than a year. Back on April 22, 2017, Lawrence Richey, 34, of Smiths Grove, Kentucky and Erin Duncan, 22, of Elkins, Arkansas were killed when an ATV crashed into a crowd of spectators. The families of those victims have filed suit against the Cullman County Commission, all three commissioners, Stony Lonesome, Davenport, Midwest Motorsports and the driver of the ATV.  See the court document below.

Stony Lonesome Lawsuit by cullmansense on Scribd

Audio from today's meeting:

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"Keeping it Real" class at Holly Pond High School / Cullman Economic Development Agency

CULLMAN - Around Cullman, recent business growth and the increasing number of “Help Wanted” signs has led to speculation that the county may have too many businesses and industries, and not enough workers to sustain them. To make things a little more complicated, the coming Toyota/Mazda plant right off I-65 in Madison County is too close for comfort. Madison and Huntsville officials told the companies that their homegrown workforce could not sustain an operation the size of the joint venture facility, and the automakers are counting on drawing off workers from surrounding counties. Cullman County, with its multiple parts manufacturers, is a prime target for recruitment. 

According to a survey of 104 major business leaders by the Center for Business and Economic Research in the fall of 2016, the two biggest issues facing the state of Alabama are education and workforce training.  In July 2017, Gov. Kay Ivey launched a new education initiative, “Strong Start, Strong Finish,” which includes expanding computer science in middle and high schools, and bolstering workforce training programs for adults.

Workforce shortages are not a Cullman problem; finding qualified workers for good jobs is an issue across the state and even the nation.  Part of the governor’s emphasis on computer science education is, according to her, the existence of 4,700 job vacancies in that field in Alabama with an average salary of $82,000 per year.  She also said when announcing her initiative that only 37 percent of Alabamians possess a two- or four-year college degree or professional credential, and that 62 percent of Alabama jobs will require one by 2020.

Over the last several years, the state of Alabama established a College and Career Task Force (2013) and the Alabama Workforce Council (2014) overseeing seven regional councils, in addition to its long-standing Career Center system administering Workforce Investment Act programs.  Through these agencies, numerous programs and initiatives seek to develop and train workers.

Over the coming weeks, The Tribune will take a look at local programs and agencies involved in efforts to increase the Cullman area workforce, both in quantity and quality. Look for stories on what’s happening at the Cullman Economic Development Agency (CEDA), Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, Cullman County Board of Education and Wallace State Community College.

Part 1: “Keeping it Real”

In the first installment of The Tribune’s series focusing on the Cullman area’s workforce, we take a look at “Keeping It Real” (KIR), a real-life simulation program for high school freshmen. It is offered by CEDA through its workforce entity Cullman Area Workforce Solutions (CAWS)

CAWS defines itself as “a voluntary partnership working to develop a strong, qualified workforce able to meet the current and future employment needs of Cullman, Alabama and surrounding areas.  There are currently 28 partners in the CAWS group representing 17 companies and organizations.  CAWS activities include educating students, educators and the underemployed about career opportunities, offering career guidance, and serving as a link to career training opportunities.  CAWS also works with employers on any workforce development need including assistance with funding acquisition for training or skill enhancement programs.”

KIR, according to CAWS, “gives area 9th graders ‘real-world experience’ in paying household bills and making financial decisions for their ‘mock’ family.  During the program, students, who are assigned a family, job and income, visit 12 booths where they purchase everything from groceries to daycare.  The students learn the value (of) budgeting and making sound decisions when faced with unexpected expenses.”

CEDA’s Belinda Hyatt talked to The Tribune about KIR.

“What we do is we partner with Wallace State and industries, and just local retired school teachers, anybody that has experience, like in management or anything else.  And what we do is we go out to the ninth graders . . . we kind of give them ideals and things they can start doing today to make them a better (employee) for the future,” said Hyatt.

Day one lessons include the importance of good character and quality job performance, cleaning up social media profiles and content, comparing job availability for graduates versus dropouts and brainstorming about career fields in the Cullman area.  At the end of day one, students are randomly assigned family status: single, married, with or without children; occupation; monthly income; and education level.

Once these have been assigned, the students’ first task is to remove taxes from their income.  Program leaders say students are often taken aback at how much of their income is not theirs to keep.

On day two, the students visit 12 stations where they buy a house, pay utilities, pay for childcare if they have young kids, buy groceries and clothing and fund other household activities.  Among these stations, the objective is for the students to learn the differences between necessities and luxuries, as well as what kind of lifestyle they can expect from different educational and career choices.  They also have to spin a wheel that will give them unexpected income or expenses, from work bonuses to broken cell phones and car trouble, to help them understand how things can change quickly in real life.

For students who find out their career and education will not support a comfortable life, representatives of Wallace State are on hand to talk to them about how training programs can make them more employable and lead to better income.

Along the way, students learn about employment opportunities and careers in the Cullman area, as well as program offerings at Wallace State. KIR, though, does not push particular educational or career paths; it helps kids develop plans for success in whatever they do.

Hyatt advised, “If you want to go to work at McDonald’s, and you’re happy and fine doing with that, work toward the higher--work toward the management positions but have a goal.”

Also on day two, students get to meet representatives of Cullman’s local industries and get ideas from them about how to pursue careers, and about what Cullman has to offer.

“The kids love it,” said Hyatt. “(The) schools love it. (It) gives the kids an opportunity to see what real life situations are. And I’ve had some great feedback. I’ve had some parents like call me, ‘Oh my gosh, my child came home and they’re like That was the best thing!  Mom, y’all have to pay that every month?’”

For more information about CAWS and KIR, visit www.cullmancareers.com. For more on the overall programs of CEDA, visit www.cullmaneda.org.

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CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for Feb. 26. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.

GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear

Cullman County Sheriff’s Office

Gober, John Paul, 39

• DUI

Goss, Marcus Ryan, 25

• FTA- third-degree receiving stolen property

Long, Brandy Elaine, 37

• FTA- third-degree burglary

Robinson, James Brian, 41

• third-degree domestic violence- harassment

Santoyo Navarro, Victor Hugo, 42

• trafficking in methamphetamine

Thomas, Marissa Ann, 27

• possession of drug paraphernalia
• public intoxication

Walker, Christopher Franklin, 44

• FTA- speeding

Willingham, Tyren Shane, 21

• FTA- public intoxication

Cullman Police Department

Goss, Marcus R., 25

• FTA- possession of drug paraphernalia

Peace, Charles D., 35

• second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana

Steele, Timothy G., 41

• possession of drug paraphernalia

Hanceville Police Department

No arrests reported.

Find arrest reports online Monday-Friday at www.CullmanTribune.com.

CULLMAN - The Cullman County Animal Shelter’s Donna Ruttkay introduces us to this week’s Pet of the Week: Marla, a 1-year-old female red tick hound mix.

“Marla is a laid-back companion dog with a low to medium energy level.  She relishes human company and will be perfectly content to sit by your side.  She also enjoys walking in the great outdoors and is accustomed to wearing a backpack when trekking.  She has a warm and delightful temperament around people.”

Marla’s adoption fee is $90, and that includes: DHLPP vaccine, Bordetella vaccines, rabies vaccine, wormer, general exam at the vet, spay, microchip, free 45-day health insurance policy issued by 24PetWatch (with valid email only) and a free bag of food from Cullman Pet Depot (you must pay sales tax).

Please consider adopting to give a rescued pet a chance at a happy and healthy life.

Contact the Cullman County Animal Shelter at 256-734-5448 or visit them at 935 Convent Road NE.  Email cullmancountyanimalshelter@gmail.com.

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On Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018, Cullman Regional officially opened its newly-constructed fifth floor with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. / W.C. Mann

CULLMAN - On Tuesday afternoon, Cullman Regional officially opened its newly-constructed fifth floor, a little more than two years after announcing the project. According to CEO James Clements, the 39,950 square-foot addition will start with 15 beds and grow to 30.  Clements said that a staff of at least 50 will begin duties on the floor, with that number expected to reach 100. The fifth-floor expansion project was first announced in January 2016 at Cullman Regional’s annual State of the Hospital event. Construction on the project began in January 2017.

Clements shared, “We’re opening a fifth-floor expansion today, to be able to better serve the patients in our community.  We’re growing to serve our local community. It shows that we’re growing.  We’ve grown about 22 percent in terms of our in-patient volume over the last three years.  That, the usage of the community, has meant that we’ve needed to grow, and we’re thankful for that.”

Cullman Regional Executive Director Marketing & Community Relations, Lindsey Dossey said, “This is a great project.  Our staff is excited about it.  I mean, any time you’re growing and expanding, I think it’s positive, both internally and externally.  Our staff has rallied around this project and really helped push it along, and worked really well with the contractor, so it’s been a great team project.”

Clements and Cullman Regional Facilities Committee Chairman Dennis Richard both addressed the audience at Tuesday’s grand opening, recognizing architecture firm TRO’s Hal Starkey, who designed the original Cullman Regional facility on Alabama Highway 157 and came back to design the expansion, and Doster Construction’s Senior Superintendent Marty Stover, who brought to the project experience in vertical expansions atop operating healthcare facilities.  Richard also recognized interior designers and hospital staff who participated in the project.

Cullman Economic Development Agency Director Dale Greer told the crowd, “Cullman Regional went from 115 beds to 145, a $20 million capital investment, and created a hundred new jobs.  You know, and that’s occurring here in Alabama at a time when other hospitals are closing; they’re not expanding.  They’re not doing what we are, and other communities are envious of this hospital; they just truly are.  Cullman is experiencing some tremendous industrial growth and retail growth, and this hospital gets a lot of credit for that.  I’m telling you: when companies look for locations, they want to know about the medical community and what’s there.  They want a good medical community for their employees, and, more importantly, for their families.”

After the ribbon cutting, visitors toured the new facility, met staff and got information about what will happen there.  

Cullman Regional Director of 5 East Post-Surgical Services, Jeff Bailey, who will run the day-to-day medical operations of the expansion, told The Tribune: “Our primary focus will be the recovery of post-surgical patients.  They’ll be in our care right after surgery for however many days the doctor deems necessary for their care.  We focus on physical therapy--we have a lot of joint operations on this floor.  We do have some medical patients on this floor, so it’s not strictly surgical.  We can take care of patients that have congestive heart failure or renal issues, and things like that.”

The rooms are equipped with typical amenities like televisions and family seating and all the nozzles, cables and outlets patients are accustomed to seeing on the wall at the head of the bed.   But they have their share of space-age hardware, too.  Near every bed is a networked computer terminal, so patient information can be input or retrieved immediately by medical personnel.  The beds themselves are “smart,” with onboard scales, bed exit monitors to tell nurses when a patient has gotten up, foot controls for patient repositioning to prevent back injuries to staff, and a host of other built-in devices.  According to Bailey, Cullman Regional “spared no expense.”

Once the state makes its final inspection, which could be as early as Wednesday, the floor will begin receiving its first patients.

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HANCEVILLE - Graduates of several health science programs at Wallace State Community College and professionals in those fields now have an option to advance to earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing (ADN) and become a registered nurse.

Wallace State Community College is the only community college in the state to offer such an option to students in the Diagnostic Imaging, Emergency Medical Services and Respiratory Therapy, or those already in the field as radiologic technologists, paramedics and respiratory therapists. These mobility programs join the longtime program that allows licensed practical nurses the opportunity to earn the ADN.

“We are very excited to offer these new opportunities not only to our current and future students, but also to professionals in our area who may want to build on their experience and expand their options,” said Lisa German, dean of health sciences at Wallace State Community College. “These new mobility options will allow them to use the degrees they’ve already earned to expand their career options and marketability as multi-skilled practitioners.”

“It is exciting to offer health professionals an opportunity to further their development and secure credit for previously learned skills,” said Deborah “Pepper” Hoover, director of the Wallace State Nursing program. “These currently licensed professionals will be prepared to deliver healthcare to our communities from a unique perspective as well as offer employers a very diverse employee for their organization.”

The WSCC Department of Nursing will take applications March 15 to May 15 for students wishing to enter the program in Fall 2018. The department is hosting many advising sessions in the next few months to share information about the curriculum and application requirements. The next session is Friday, March 9, at 10 a.m., followed by Monday, April 23 at 3 p.m., and Friday, May 4 at 10 a.m. All sessions will be held in room 201 of the School of Nursing and Center for Science.

Students wishing to enter the mobility program must have degrees in their respective field and must meet the pre-requisites required by the Nursing program. They must also have a minimum ACT score of 18. Those who are not LPNs should acquire Certified Nursing Assistant certification prior to the start of the fall semester.

Should all requirements and pre-requisites be met, a student can complete 31 credit hours in three semesters to earn their nursing degree.

A document outlining admission requirements and more can be found under the MOBILITY Nursing Advising Pamphlet link on the Nursing webpage. www.wallacestate.edu/programs/health-division/nursing.

For more information about the Nursing program, visit www.wallacestate.edu/nursing or call 256-352-8199.  Visit www.wallacestate.edu to learn about all the programs offered at Wallace State, or call 256-352-8000.

CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for Feb. 27. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.

GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear

Cullman County Sheriff’s Office

Campbell, Joshua Adam, 34

• possession of drug paraphernalia
• unlawful possession of a controlled substance

Hilburn, Ronnie Frank, 43

• negotiating a worthless negotiable instrument

Laney, I.V. Renia, 47

• third-degree domestic violence- harassment
• public intoxication

McAlpin, John Burt, 50

• violation of a domestic violence protection order

Mosburg, Lane Braxton, 18

• possession of drug paraphernalia

Peek, Latasha Annette, 28

• probation revoked- second-degree forgery (2 counts)

Price, Joshua Dylan, 23

• judge’s order- second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana

Sanders, Colton Lee, 28

• FTA- unlawful distribution of a controlled substance

Williams, Shayla Cheyenne, 23

• judge’s order- third-degree criminal trespassing

Wynn, Gregory Paul, 42

• FTA- possession of drug paraphernalia
• FTA- possession of prescription medicine

Cullman Police Department

Robinson, Antawn D., 24

• second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana
• possession of drug paraphernalia

Hilburn, Ronnie F., 43

• second-degree forgery
• fourth-degree theft of property

Harbison, Jamison B., 22

• disorderly conduct
• attempting to elude

Graves, Steven K., 29

• possession of drug paraphernalia

McGaughy, Devon M., 28

• second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana

Hanceville Police Department

No arrests reported.

Find arrest reports online Monday-Friday at www.CullmanTribune.com.

MONTGOMERY– Alabama Labor Sec. Fitzgerald Washington on Wednesday announced that Alabama experienced the largest over the year unemployment rate drop, based on annual averages, in the nation. According to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Alabama’s average annual rate decreased 1.5 percentage points.

Alabama’s annual average unemployment rate for 2017 was 4.4 percent, down from 2016’s average rate of 5.9 percent. Alabama was followed by Wyoming (-1.1 points) and Tennessee (-1.0 point).

“We’ve been working very hard, collaborating with Governor Kay Ivey, other state agencies, county and local governments, and Alabama’s employers to bring down our unemployment rate,” said Washington. “What we are doing is working. Alabamians are working, and employers are hiring. We are proud to lead the country in decreasing our unemployment rate.”

Alabama’s current unemployment rate, 3.5 percent in December 2017 (this is a preliminary figure and is subject to revision), is the lowest on record. Cullman County’s December 2017 rate, 2.8 percent, is the second-lowest in the state for December, down markedly from December 2016’s rate of 4.9 percent.

January’s unemployment rates are scheduled to be released on March 12.

See table below for full rankings.

Largest Annual Average Drop Table by cullmansense on Scribd

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

CULLMAN - Registration is now open for Cullman Parks and Recreation’s Community Garden programs. Plots are available at the garden at Nesmith Park.

The Community Garden program will begin in March and go through October with classes and work sessions every Tuesday night at 6 p.m. and Saturdays mornings at 9 a.m.

For $75, gardeners get 4’x8’ gardening plots, basic tools and access to water, and start-up plants and seeds. Participants can decide what they would like to grow. Instructor Hellen Stricklin will lead the program.

Additionally, CP&R is offering the new Gardening for Tots program. The program will go from March through June and be held Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Children ages 4 and younger and a parent will be able to garden their 4’x8’ plots by helping to dig, plant and watch plants grow.

The cost for the Gardening for Tots program is $50.

Registration for both Community Garden programs is available online at www.cullmanrecreation.org or in person at the Cullman Civic Center.

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Image credit: pixabay

Good Hope Mayor Jerry Bartlett addresses the Cullman County Commission. / Nick Griffin

CULLMAN - Good Hope Mayor Jerry Bartlett this week addressed the Cullman County Commission regarding the re-location of AGCOR Steel from Vinemont to Good Hope. The Good Hope City Council on Monday night passed a resolution allowing Bartlett to enter an agreement with the company. AGCOR, which will build on 53 acres on Industrial Drive, will be Good Hope’s first manufacturer. Bartlett said the company will add up to 20 new jobs and is expected to have annual sales of $8-$10 million. 

AGCOR’s move is the result of a joint effort between the City of Good Hope, City of Cullman and Cullman County. AGCOR is spending $400,000 on the project, with the three local governments each providing $133,333 in tax incentives, said Bartlett.

“This is the first time that anything like this has happened in Cullman County where the County and the City of Cullman and City of Good Hope are working in a joint effort to get this to happen and I want to personally thank the commission and the chairman (Kenneth Walker) for what they’ve done. What you’ve done (Cullman County Attorney) Chad (Floyd), to help us and to get the wording correct. I feel like its an honor to have worked with y’all to get this done, first time it’s ever happened.” Bartlett said. “As you know, it’ll be your turn now, and I’m asking you personally if you would move forward and pass your resolution allowing you to sign the contract and have your 772 hearing. Our lawyer Rita Nicholas is drafting a letter today to formally ask you, and then I’m personally asking you now so that we can get the ball rolling.”

The commission set the Amendment 772 hearing date for March 13 to approve the signing of the resolution.  Along with the Cullman County Commission, the Cullman City Council will have to pass a resolution so the arrangement with AGCOR will be finalized.

Before discussing new business items, the commission authorized the RAVE message call system with AT&T for another year for the cost of $9,100. Cullman County EMA Director Phyllis Little recommended that commission stick with the system for one more year to try to increase its usage in the public and within the department.

The commission also:

- approved an amended abatement for $3,046,650 over the next 10 years for Topre America

- approved an abatement for American Classic, Inc. in the amount of $1,891,300 for building and equipment

- authorized Walker to enter into an agreement with St. John & Associates to provide engineering services for the proposed bus wash project to be built for CARTS

- authorized the Probate Judge Tammy Brown to enter into a preservation services agreement with Syscon, Inc. for electronically preserving deed books in the probate office with an AMRV grant of $10,000. This grant will allow the probate office to scan in approximately 50 deed books that are in poor condition.

- set a date for a public hearing at the request of attorney Champ Crocker to close a portion of County Road 1614 on April 24

- authorized revisions to park rules and regulations at Stony Lonesome OHV Park. The commission approved the changes in response to the fatal wreck that killed 21-year-old Hannah Bates on Feb. 24, as well as two other deaths that have occurred at the park in the past year. Effective immediately, no coolers of any kind are allowed on the trails and stricter policies regarding wristband checks and safety harnesses are in place. See a full story at www.cullmantribune.com/articles/2018/02/27/changes-coming-stony-lonesome....

- authorized Sanitation Manager James Rollo to sign a cleaning contract with Cleaning & More for deep cleaning of the sanitation office

- approved the installation of a 3.5-ton gas pack by Alabama Electrical Contractors at the cost of $7,500.

- Chairman Walker appointed Barry Slatton to the E-911 Board of Commissioners to fill the unexpired term of Wells Turner. The term expires Sept. 1, 2019.

- approved the surplusage of six vehicles from the road department to be sold on GovDeals.com, including a 2000 GMC pickup, 1996 Chevy Blazer, 1999 Ford F-150, 1995 Ford F-150, 1991 Ford L900 low-boy tuck, 1991 Fontaine low-boy trailer

- extended bid no. 1232 with Pyro Shows of Alabama for the Fourth of July Smith Lake Park fireworks show

- awarded bid no. 1278 for road resurfacing with bituminous plant mix to Wiregrass Construction

The commission’s next work session will be held Tuesday, March 13 at 8:30 a.m. in the commission conference room, followed by the commission meeting at 10 a.m.

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

William Woljevach, age 76 of Vinemont, passed away on Monday, February 26, 2018 at his residence. He was born, April 24, 1941 in Ohio. He is preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his, children, William (Michelle) Woljevach, Michael (Kathy)Woljevach, Michelle Woljevach, Eric Woljevach, and Jennifer Woljevach, 8 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. Cullman Heritage is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Funeral service for Hannah Bates, age 21, of Cullman, will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home with Jerry Lawson officiating. Burial will be at Bethsadia Cemetery. Cullman Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Ms. Bates passed away on Saturday, February 24, 2018. She was born September 21, 1996 in Cullman, AL to Lionel Bates and Sonya McSwain Bates. She is preceded in death by her three grandfathers; Leslie "Gene" Bates, Billy Franklin McSwain, and Guy Carr, Aunt Joy Baker and Uncle Don McSwain.

Survivors include her parents, grandmothers; Betty Bates and Hilda Carr, aunts and uncles; Penny (Earl) Aldridge, Steve (Lisa) McSwain, Craig Bates, Deborah (Mike) Smith, Don Bates, and Ron Bates, cousins; Christian Knight, Kyle McSwain, Dylon McSwain, Mandy Shelton, Shellie Smith, Mason Aldridge and Ean Aldridge, and a host of great uncles and aunts and hundreds of loving friends.

Funeral service for Grady Clarence Powe, age 81 of Cullman, will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 2, 2018 at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home with Larry Brown and Alton Bailey officiating; burial at Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Cullman Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Powe passed away on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at his residence. He was born, February 08, 1937 to William and Effie Powe.

He was the owner of Powe’s Glass Service for many years. He also retired from the City of Cullman.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Walter, Ruby, and Teddy Powe, sisters, Dean Johnson and Jeanette Quattlebaum. Survivors include his wife, Martha Powe, son, Greg Powe, daughter, Anita (Mark) West, grandchildren, Heather (Patrick) Davis, Caleb West, Rayann Powe, and Allison Powe, sisters, Martha "Bobo" Pellegra, Jackie (Ulen) Quattlebaum, and Gaynell Marty, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home.

Justin William Stapler of Hanceville Alabama passed away on February 25, 2018 at the age of 34. He was born in Cullman on June 12, 1983 to Tommy and Cathy Stapler.

He was the owner/operator of Provision Lawncare Service.

Funeral services will be on Friday, March 2, 2018 at 12 noon at Lystra Baptist Church in Baileyton, Alabama. He will lie in state for one hour prior to the service. Rev. Lee Vaughn, Randal Entrekin and Mark Dailey will officiate. Interment will be in the adjoining cemetery.

Survivors are, wife Leah Stapler, daughter Molly Morgan, sons Jacob Morgan, Nathaniel Gamble, parents Tommy and Cathy Stapler, brother Brad (Emily) Stapler, grandparents Sarah Rusk, Curtis Stapler, Eleanor Greathouse, Alvin and Delavina Edwards, Nieces Julie Stapler, Jill Stapler, Alex Holmes, nephew Isaac Holmes, Father in law Doug Edwards, mother in law Marcia Edwards, brother in law Brett (Leslie) Holmes, a host of aunts, uncles and other family and friends.

Kenneth Ray Hardin, 47, of the Brooklyn Community, passed away at his home.

Mr. Hardin was born August 3, 1970 in Flint, Michigan to Bobby Lee and Marlin Jane (Moore) Hardin.

Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his brother, Michael Hardin (Tina); sister, Margaret Reynolds (Mark); and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Memorial services will be held 6 p.m. Saturday, March 3, 2018 in Holly Pond Funeral Home Chapel. Holly Pond Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.

Wilna Sue Tucker Searcy, age 79, left behind a beautiful sunny, blue-sky day on February 26, 2018 as she stepped into the glorious Kingdom of Heaven. Her battle with Pneumonia and Septic Shock left her body tired but her eyes were open and focused on what lay ahead.

She was greeted in Heaven by her son, Thomas David Searcy, her brother, David Harold Tucker, her Mom, Nellie Nina Posey Tucker and her Dad, Homer Hearold Tucker, along with a host of Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and in-laws. Laughter filled the Heavens at her reunion.

Left behind to await a later arrival into the Kingdom were her husband, James Wayne Searcy, her children, James Richard (Diane) Searcy and Anne Searcy-Vaneman, her grandchildren, Erica Leigh Searcy and Donald Wayne Vaneman, her friends and nurses Brian Rickey Reed and Jennifer Nicole Fitzgerald, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Wilna was anything but a “simple” housewife, although that’s how she saw herself. She worked to support her husband Jim as he worked his way through college and she typed up many an essay, report and paper. She was his sounding board and she grounded him by telling him what ideas were good and not so good. She budgeted and scrimped so the family could afford their first home as the three children grew. In the early days, she wore the same pair of shoes until they fell apart so the family could have new school and work clothes.

When she was stricken with Lupus in the 70s, the family moved back to Bessemer, AL where they built a house beside her parents. Life was slow and sweet, with football games, bare feet and home canned green beans from her parents’ garden. A promise of a better job relocated the family back to Delaware during the 80s where she continued to support her husband and kids through hardships, homesickness and many a day spent shoveling show. The 90s saw the family move to Raleigh, North Carolina for the promotion of a life time. Life was slower and warmer with only the occasional ice storm and one nasty Hurricane named Fran that knocked 20 trees onto their house. After digging out from the debris, Lupus started taking a toll on her joints. Her hips ached and doctors started talking about hip replacement. Still, she managed to go with her husband on a trip to Paris where she kept up with all the walking.

Retirement found the family returning to Cullman in 1999. Life was again slow and sweet but no more canned green beans as her father was no longer around to grow a garden and her mother was slowing down. Wilna helped care for her Mother and Aunt Una Mae as best as she could with bad hips and aching shoulders. She finally relented and bought a cane. Not just any old cane, but a black cane with painted flowers. Then she bought a clear Lucite cane. Then a red, white and blue striped cane. She rolled with the punches and made the best of it. She helped with design ideas when her husband and son started flipping houses and tried to keep them under budget, but that didn’t always work. 2010 brought the devastating loss of her son and she found herself in a wheelchair. Then her mother moved in and her brother passed in 2013. Finally, her mother could not be cared for at home. Wilna visited her mom often until her passing in 2015. Life slowed down again and the family managed Jim’s medical problems and eventual heart attack in 2016. August 2017 was when Wilna fell and broke her arm and hip. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at the nursing home where Wilna went for rehab. Jim went every day and sat beside his little bride and they worked crossword puzzles and sometimes napped together. She came home on December 15, 2017 to enjoy Christmas, New Years and football with everyone. 2018 brought a new year that unfortunately brought a new bout of pneumonia that lead to her new home in Heaven.

Viewing will be on Friday, March 2, 2018 from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. for Family, and 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. for Friends at Moss Funeral Home in Cullman, AL. The Funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at Moss Funeral Home in Cullman, AL with Internment following at City of Cullman Cemetery. The Honorable Brother Ed Hayes officiating.

Sonny J. Cook, 86, of Yakima left his family February 4, 2018 at Astria Regional Hospital in Yakima, Washington.

Sonny was born January 27, 1932 to Clyde and Elsie (Couch) in Cullman, Alabama.

Sonny served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Sonny met his future wife, Ruth Webster, while he was stationed at Camp Handford, Washington. Sonny and Ruth were married January 19, 1953. They celebrated their 65th anniversary January 19, 2018.

Sonny’s birthday was January 27, 2018. He was 86.

Sonny and Ruth Cook have one child, David Cook born in 1954.

Sonny was a fruit warehouse manager, the only job Sonny had after his Army Honorable Discharge. Sonny also operated the first C.A. in the Yakima valley. Sonny loved his family and his son, David, was his pride and joy. He loved to go camping and fishing with David and Ruth. He also loved to go deer and elk hunting. Sonny was a wonderful and loving husband and father. Sonny will be missed by his family and friends. He liked to watch western movies and read Louis L’Amour westerns, also going to the casino once in a while. Sonny was the Super Glue to our family and will be missed. A very special “thank you” to the doctors taking care of Sonny, keeping Sonny going and your kind care of Sonny. Doctor David Doornick, we thank you! God bless each one of you. Also a special thank you to Sister Faye. God bless! Also thank you to Landmark for his care.

Sonny was preceded by his father, Clyde Cook, his mother, Elsie Cook Ratliff, sisters, Syble Jackson and Jackie Askea and brother, Dale Wayne Cook, of Cullman. Sonny is survived by his wife, Ruth Cook; son, David Cook (Nona); sister-in-law, Anna Mae Oxford, of Yakima; brother, Michael Veguire (Bev) of California; family in California; nephews and nieces of Cullman and Washington State. We love you, Sonny! Your loving wife, son, David and Nona and all your family and friends. We miss you.

Visitation was on Wednesday, February 14, 2018, at Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home. Graveside service was at 11 a.m. on February 15th at West Hills Memorial Park. To share a memory of Sonny please visit www.lepfuneralhome.com.