MONTGOMERY – Gov. Kay Ivey announced Monday morning that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted January unemployment rate is 3.7 percent, down from December 2017’s revised rate of 3.8 percent, and well below January 2017’s rate of 5.5 percent.  Cullman County’s January rate is 3.5 percent, up from 2.8 percent in December. Last January’s rate for Cullman County was 5.1 percent. Cullman County has the second lowest unemployment rate in the state for January, behind only Shelby County’s, which is 3.0 percent.

Statewide, according to Ivey’s office, January’s rate represents 80,841 unemployed persons, compared to 82,378 in December and 120,788 in January 2017. 2,079,871 people were counted as employed, compared to 2,081,176 in December, and 2,057,886 in January 2017.

The previous record low unemployment rate measured 3.8 percent in December 2017, which also tied with October and November 2017 and with several months in 2007 (pre-recession in Alabama).  The preliminary rates announced for both November and December 2017 were 3.5 percent.  Following revisions, those rates are now 3.8 percent.

Each year, preliminary estimates released throughout the year by the states are revised by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in a process known as “annual processing.” Annual processing allows the BLS to align preliminary estimates with more concrete data as it becomes available at the end of the year.  That can lead to some preliminary estimates being revised, as was the case with December 2017’s unemployment rate. 

“As we start a new year, we’re pleased to announce that we’re starting off with a new record low unemployment rate,” said Ivey.  “Nearly 40,000 fewer people are counted as unemployed, also setting a new record low.  We have been working hard for months to bring quality, high-paying jobs to Alabama, and we’re putting our people back to work.  We will continue this work in 2018, and we hope to maintain these fantastic numbers.”

“It is not uncommon for preliminary rates to be adjusted as more precise data becomes available, especially around highly seasonal periods, such as the holidays,” said Fitzgerald Washington, secretary of the Alabama Department of Labor.  “Even with the adjustments, we are still in an extremely good place.  It was recently announced that our yearly average unemployment rate in 2017 dropped more than any other state in the country. Our wage and salary employment continue to show yearly increases, and all 67 counties have experienced significant yearly drops in their unemployment rates, some as high as 4.9 percentage points.” 

ADOL information shows that, over the year, wage and salary employment increased 17,700, with gains in the leisure and hospitality sector (+6,000), the education and health services sector (+5,600), and the professional and business services sector (+4,800), among others.

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 3.0 percent, Cullman County at 3.5 percent, and Marshall, Madison, Elmore, and Blount Counties at 3.6 percent.  Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 10.4 percent, Clarke County at 8.1 percent, and Lowndes County at 7.5 percent.

All 67 counties experienced yearly drops in their unemployment rates, ranging from 1.2 percentage points in Autauga County to 4.9 percentage points in Wilcox County. 

Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Vestavia Hills at 2.5 percent, Homewood and Hoover at 2.8 percent, and Alabaster and Northport at 2.9 percent.  Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Prichard at 7.7 percent, Selma at 7.0 percent, and Anniston at 5.8 percent.

City Rates by cullmansense on Scribd

County MA Rate by cullmansense on Scribd

Map by cullmansense on Scribd

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

CULLMAN - It's been 25 years since the Blizzard of 1993, which took place March 12-14, 1993. Cullman had 10 inches of snow. Do you remember?

Here's how the National Weather Service in Huntsville recalls the event:

Event Summary:

The March 12-14 1993 North American blizzard impacted north Alabama and southern middle Tennessee produced heavy snowfall and extreme societal impacts across the Tennessee Valley. Several snowfall records were set across Alabama and Tennessee from this event. This blizzard was also referred to as the "Storm of the Century" and/or the "1993 Superstorm" due to its large scale and widespread record-breaking snowfall it produced from the Northern Gulf Coast of Alabama and Florida, the chain of the Appalachians Mountains, and into the Northeast and New England.

The intense low pressure system formed in the Gulf of Mexico early on March 12 and pushed across southern Alabama and Georgia, before rapidly moving up the East Coast. At least 14 persons died in southern middle Tennessee and north Alabama, all due to exposure, and damage estimates in 1993 dollars exceeded $100 million. Of the 14 deaths, six people died after abandoning their vehicles, seven more died outside, and one person died at home. The weight of the snow combined with wind gusts in excess of 50 mph knocked out power, collapsed numerous roofs, and downed thousands of trees across the area.

At the height of the storm, over 400,000 residences were without electricity. In some locations, roads remained impassable for nearly a week, hampering emergency and relief efforts. Snow amounts ranged from greater than four inches in northwest Alabama to at or greater than a foot of snow in portions of the higher elevations of northeast Alabama and southern middle Tennessee. This powerful storm system would have been a category two on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane intensity scale due to the strength of the winds. Following the storm, record cold invaded the area. The deep snow cover, combined with clear skies and light winds, dropped temperatures to single digits to near zero on the morning of March 14 across much of north Alabama and southern middle Tennessee. These unusually cold temperatures were around 35 degrees below normal for mid March.

Image courtesy of NWS Huntsville.

Lee Ann Matanane / Cullman County Sheriff’s Office

BERLIN - A Walter woman was arrested on Saturday, March 10, charged with the attempted murder of her estranged husband. Lee Ann Matanane, 54, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder, one count of first-degree burglary and one count of second-degree assault.

According to the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded on Saturday to an incident in the community of Berlin where one person was shot. The CCSO said that that morning, Matanane parked down the road from her estranged husband’s residence, and she was dressed in all black. She allegedly forced her way inside the residence and upon entry shot her estranged husband in the upper chest area and struck a female victim in the head with the firearm.  The CCSO said the victims fought Matanane and removed the firearm from her.  After deputies arrived, they located Matanane and placed her under arrest.

“Domestic Incidents are among the most dangerous calls our deputies face,” said Sheriff Matt Gentry. “I commend the work done by our deputies and investigators in this case.”

Matanane is currently being held in the Cullman County Detention Center on a $75,000 cash bond.   

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Left to right: Joshua Earl Hanners, Heather Seay and Kendra Farley / Cullman Police Department

CULLMAN - The Cullman Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit arrested three people recently following the execution of a search warrant on US Highway 31 South.

According to a media release from the CPD, on March 6 officers arrested and charged Joshua Earl Hanners, 29, of Cullman and Heather Elaine Seay, 33, of Cullman with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Kendra Diane Farley 25, of Berlin was arrested and charged with trafficking in illegal drugs, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. 

The CPD allegedly recovered methamphetamine, oxycodone pills and drug paraphernalia. 

Police said Hanners was out on bond at the time of his arrest.  All three subjects were transported to the Cullman County Detention Center.  Hanners and Seay have since made bond. Farley remains incarcerated. 

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for March 9-11. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.

GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear

Cullman County Sheriff’s Office

Brandmire, Jason Anthony, 38

• plea agreement- unlawful possession of a controlled substance (2 counts)

Brooks, Jonathan Scott, 31

• attempting to elude
• resisting arrest
• unlawful possession of a controlled substance

Chaffin, Lowell Cowan, 86

• harassing communications

Farr, Larry Dean, 57

• FTA- third-degree receiving stolen property

Gilley, Colton Chase, 21

• public intoxication

Hames, Randy Allan, 75

• first-degree human trafficking
• second-degree human trafficking (3 counts)

Jones, Patrick Eric, 31

• plea agreement- unlawful possession of a controlled substance

Kelley, Shane Wesley, 31

• second-degree bail jumping- attempting to elude
• second-degree bail jumping- possession of drug paraphernalia
• second-degree bail jumping- reckless endangerment
• second-degree bail jumping-resisting arrest

Knight, Missy Louise, 27

• GJ- illegal possession or use of a credit or debit card

Landers, Steven Taft, 28

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

Matanane, Lee Ann, 54

• attempted murder
• second-degree assault
• first-degree burglary

Mickle, Jimmy Allen, 46

• possession of drug paraphernalia
• trafficking in methamphetamine

Millwood Barion Mitchell Ray, 32

• FTA- fourth-degree receiving stolen property
• GJ- first-degree theft of property

Moore, Donnie Alan, 41

• FTA- second-degree criminal mischief

Morton, Jon Waylon, 28

• FTA- driving while suspended
• FTA- possession of drug paraphernalia
• FTA- unlawful possession of a controlled substance

Oden, Jeannine Paquette Oaks, 50

• failure to signal turn
• failure to signal- improper lane change
• possession of drug paraphernalia
• unlawful possession of a controlled substance (2 counts)
• second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana

Pelps, Tyler Preston, 29

• FTA- driving without a license

Quick, Alexander Douglas, 23

• first-degree bail jumping- first-degree receiving stolen property

Sanford, Justin Blake, 28

• obstruction- using false ID
• FTA- possession of drug paraphernalia
• possession of drug paraphernalia

Schwan, Sherry Annette, 48

• probation violation- unlawful possession of a controlled substance

Self, Cody Lowell, 27

• unlawful possession of a controlled substance
• driving on wrong side of road
• improper turn
• obstruction- using false ID
• possession of drug paraphernalia
• tampering with physical evidence

Sellman, Henry Ennis III, 35

• FTA- possession of drug paraphernalia

Swindoll, Sammi Lee, 23

• possession of drug paraphernalia
• unlawful possession of a controlled substance (2 counts)
• second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana

Teer, James Anderson, 22

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

Tucker, Danny Ray, 50

• possession of drug paraphernalia
• trafficking in methamphetamine

Waldrop, Stacy Arlen, 45

• unlawful practice of law

Warden, Billy Wayne, 66

• possession of drug paraphernalia
• trafficking in methamphetamine

Cullman Police Department

Peek, Daniel W., 32

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

Butler, Thomas A., 24

• fourth-degree theft of property

Oliver, Daniel M., 31

• public intoxication

Pinkerton, Derrick M. Jr., 29

• FTA- third-degree assault
• FTA- public intoxication
• FTA- insurance violation

Holland, Leslie H., 48

• DUI

Sellman, Henry E. III, 35

• FTA- insurance violation
• FTA- failure to register vehicle

Hanceville Police Department

No arrests reported.

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

Sigma Theta Kappa Spring 2018 inductees

HANCEVILLE - The Wallace State chapters of Mu Alpha Theta and Sigma Kappa Delta recognized new members during a March 1 Induction Ceremony in the Bailey Center Auditorium.

Mu Alpha Theta is the mathematics honor society for community colleges. The organization provides members with various avenues to showcase their mathematical knowledge and talents, while providing opportunities to learn from and interact with members across the United States. The Mu Alpha Theta insignia represents an important relationship in mathematics that combines the mystery, the challenge, and the beauty of numbers with a simple geometric figure, the right triangle. Instructors Dr. Krystal Davis and Dana Adams are chapter sponsors.

MAT officers are: Austin Richard, Parliamentarian; Norma De Aguinaga, Secretary and Treasurer; Paul Knetter, Vice President; and Hannah Morton, President.

Mu Alpha Theta inductees included: Carli Ashley, Jenny Barber, Lacie Bartlett, Jacob Dutton, Malia Howell, Casie Humphrey, Emily Dia, Jessica Molina, Nancy Nevarez, Kaitlin Richards, Keith Richard, Cierra Smith, Elizabeth Smith, Daniel Vann, Esmeralda Vasquez and BreAnna Williams.

Sigma Kappa Delta is the National English Honor Society for two-year colleges. Sigma Kappa Delta provides the exceptional student with a variety of opportunities for advancing the study of language and literature, for developing skills in creative and analytical writing, for meeting other outstanding scholars and professionals in the discipline of English, and for obtaining scholarships. Instructors Sally Warren, Gayle Ledbetter, Karen Morris, Haley Nix, Cynthia Smith, and Allison Robertson serve as the advisors for Sigma Kappa Delta.

Sigma Kappa Delta’s newly elected officers are Alaysia Nicholson and Ashton Beasley, Historians; Bridgette Gray, Secretary; Paul Knetter, Treasurer; Emily Dia, Vice President; and Patrick Jimenez, President.

SKD candidates were asked to stand and repeat the following pledge and motto of the society:  “I shall endeavor to advance the study of the English language and its literature, to encourage worthwhile reading, to promote the mastery of written expression, and to foster a spirit of fellowship among those who specialize in the study of the English language and its literature, ever keeping in mind the motto of our Society: Sincerity, Knowledge, Design.”

Sigma Kappa Delta inductees included: Katelyn Anderson, Destiny Baldwin, Jennifer Barber, Lacie Bartlett, Joel Bastrom, Audra Beard. Ashton Beasley, Ashley Bishop, Toby Blackwood, Logan Burgess, Mckenna Chambers, Karalise Cook, Lauren Creel, Anamarie Dahlke, Emily Dia, Rachel Diaz, Amber Doherty, Ethan Drake, Jordan Dunaway, Skye Dutton, Hannah Gardner, Blake Golden, Mary Lauren Granade, Makenzie Graves, Bridgette Gray, Kacie Griffith, Cassie Hall, Cheyenne Hansen, Racheal Harris, Anna Hathcock, Hollie Henderson, Lori Holman, Melinda Hosch, Bernadette Howell, Catherine Howell, Tina Howell, Cannon Hudson, Robert Huff, Jason Hyatt, Kassi Ingram, Drakken James, Karlie Jenkins, Christopher Jennings, Patrick Jimenez, Challie Johnson, Megan Jordan, Lauren Keplinger, Paul Knetter, Cassie Lawrence, Gabrielle Leak, Savannah Lemmons, Abigail Long, Cesar Macias, Anna Main, Rebecca McConnaughhay, Savannah McCormick, Aaron Mejia, Leandra Mendoza, Angel Mernatti, Alec Miller, Zoe Moon, Cassie Morgan, Faith Morris, Nancy Nevarez-Medina, Alaysia Nicholson, Brittany Noe, Julianna Ogle, Sierra Palmer, Erin Pankey, Katherine Pea, Tucker Putman, Kiefer Quick, Cameron Reed, Cheryl Reese, Kaitlin Richards, Tanner Robertson, Mason Rowe, Karson Scott, Meagan Schwieterman, Marlen Serrano, Bryant Simmons, Anna Marie Smith, Cierra Smith, Reagan Smothers, Hannah Sumner, Kari Thomas, Cassie Torres, Taylor Urecn, Victoria Vinson, Kaitlyn Wadsworth, James West, Kathy Williams, Emily Wilson, Teresa Worden, Aaliyah Wyatt and Rheagan Wyche.

Panelists listen as Cullman Police Chief Kenny Culpepper talks about police response procedures.  L-R Joey Orr, John Anderson, Jason Neal, Chris Branham, Gail Swafford and Kay Bell / W.C. Mann

CULLMAN - In the wake of the recent tragic school shooting in Florida, and following threats against Cullman area schools (which, fortunately, turned out to be hoaxes, though they did lead to city schools spending a day on “soft lockdown”), several Cullman parents expressed concern about Cullman High School’s (CHS) safety and security procedures. On Monday evening, Principal Kim Hall hosted a panel presentation to explain those measures to interested parents, and to introduce them to some of the people responsible for their children’s safety at school.

The “Safety Summit” panel consisted of CHS Principal Kim Hall, CHS Assistant Principal Aaron Sparks, Cullman Police Department (CPD) Chief Kenny Culpepper, CHS Resource Officer John Anderson, Juvenile Probation Director Kay Bell, Child Advocacy Center/Brooks’ Place Executive Director Gail Swafford, and Cullman City School Board members Chris Branham, Jason Neal and Joey Orr.

Hall spoke with The Tribune about the purpose of the meeting. “We decided that, after the recent events, that parents had a lot of questions about how we handle different safety situations.  And, although we as a school and a faculty and the various community agencies, we work very closely together, we found that maybe some parents didn’t know what our procedures were or didn’t understand some of the terminology that we were using.  

“So, we decided to come together with the school, and with some of the various agencies to share that information and also to make known our relationship with the CPD, Cullman Fire Rescue (and Cullman) EMS.  And then we also have Brooks’ Place Child Advocacy and (the) Juvenile Probation Office, as well. You know, just some questions that we can answer for parents about how we handle different issues that may arise on campus.”

Continued Hall, “We actually have a very close relationship with the emergency agencies in town.  As a matter of fact, any time that we have an issue arise of any type, whether we may smell gas on campus and we want somebody to come check it out; we’ve got the fire department available, we have Cullman Jefferson Gas.  Any kind of issue that we may have, as far as weather, we have a close relationship with the (Cullman County) Emergency Management Agency.”

Hall and Sparks talked about the school’s Crisis Response Plan, an Alabama State Department of Education requirement for all schools.  They discussed the Virtual Alabama Portal, which makes school maps and key staff contact information immediately available to police and emergency responders, allowing them to navigate the campus and communicate with the administration in the midst of a crisis.  They also noted the school’s use of regular safety drills to ensure students and faculty are familiar with emergency procedures.

Hall also showed parents a list of all personnel on the school’s Crisis Management Team, including herself, Sparks, Culpepper, Anderson, Bell, Swafford and:

• Cullman City Schools Superintendent Dr. Susan Patterson
• CHS Assistant Principal Mark Stephens
• CHS Assistant Principal Jake Johnson
• Cullman City Schools Safety Coordinator Tommy Duke
• CPD Day Shift Capt. Bobby Kelly
• Cullman EMA Director Phyllis Little
• Cullman Fire Chief Edward Reinhardt
• Wellstone Behavioral Health CEO Chris Van Dyke

Hall and Sparks talked about safety upgrades at CHS facilities, including expanded use of security cameras (the school currently has more than 100) linked to large screen monitors in the offices of administrators, installation of new security fencing to limit campus access points, the securing of outer doors and installation of a buzz-in system on the main doors.

Hall and Culpepper talked about lockdown procedures, helping parents understand what happens during such an event, and the difference between “soft” and “hard” lockdowns:

Soft Lockdown

• Used in response to potential threats to the school or near the school
• All exterior doors locked
• Teachers keep classroom doors locked
• Increased teacher presence in the halls
• Student traffic in hallways avoided unless necessary
• Students not allowed to go to the parking lot
• Students and teachers to report suspicious activity to the administration immediately
• Administration and law enforcement will patrol the campus
• Updates and announcements via PA, email, phone, text, etc.
• No phone or email checkouts, to avoid unattended students in parking lots

Hard Lockdown

• Used in response to immediate threats from intruders, hostage situations or disorderly student conduct
• If the principal determines that a security threat exists, law enforcement will be contacted immediately.
• Exterior doors will be locked and will not be opened to the public for any reason until conditions are determined to be safe and the lockdown is lifted.
• Due to their lockdown locations on the campus, a good chance exists that office staff and administrators will not be able to answer phone calls or see incoming emails.
• Parents/guardians attempting to check students out must comply with school officials and law enforcement.

Sparks, Anderson and Culpepper briefly addressed the ALICE program for responding to active shooter situations:

A - Alert, recognizing quickly what is happening
L - Lockdown, barricading to limit room access until evacuation or other response
I - Inform, communicating the shooter’s location and direction, if possible
C - Counter, creating noise, movement, distance, and distraction to limit the shooter’s ability to shoot accurately
E - Evacuate, getting out of harm’s way when a path is clear

Before an informal question and answer session Hall finished the presentation by listing the ways CHS parents can receive emergency communications:

• Follow CHS Twitter: @Cullmancats
• Follow CHS Instagram: cullmanhighschool
• The Cullman City Schools app, available from Apple or Google Play
• Blackboard Messenger

“One thing I think we want to make clear,” Hall told The Tribune, “is that we do work very closely with our police department (and) emergency management.  They review our plans, they work with us. They do walk-throughs at our school to make sure that they’re familiar with our facilities, to make sure that our students and our faculty and visitors are safe at all times.  

“And then we’re also working very closely with our Cullman City Board of Education and the system-wide maintenance staff to make some adjustments on campus, to make it a little bit more secure for our students and our teachers.  

“We have a great partnership in our community.  We’re very blessed to have so many people willing to invest in our students, not only their educational opportunities, but their safety, as well."

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for March 12. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.

GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear

Cullman County Sheriff’s Office

Brooks, Jonathan Scott, 31

• third-degree criminal trespassing

Cofield, Caleb Craig, 33

• second-degree bail jumping- possession of drug paraphernalia
• second-degree bail jumping- second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana
• second-degree bail jumping- unlawful possession of a controlled substance
• FTA- possession of drug paraphernalia
• FTA- unlawful possession of a controlled substance
• FTA- second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana

Colburn, Royce O’Neal Jr., 33

• FTA- driving while suspended
• FTA- speeding

Cosby, Misty Marie Duvall, 31

• public intoxication

Farr, Larry Dean, 57

• second-degree bail jumping- third-degree receiving stolen property

Gray, Melissa Ann, 43

• FTA- negotiating a worthless negotiable instrument

Keller, Huie Franklin, 49

• second-degree stalking

Key, Seth Patrick, 35

• possession of drug paraphernalia

Niblett, Herman III, 39

• FTA- driving without first obtaining a license
• FTA- driving while revoked
• FTA- driving while suspended
• FTA- speeding

Sponaugle, Zena Marie, 52

• resisting arrest
• fourth-degree theft of property

Cullman Police Department

Millwood, Barion M., 32

• FTA- insurance violation
• FTA- driving while revoked
• FTA- failure to register vehicle
• FTA- possession of drug paraphernalia

Mashburn, Nicholas D., 18

• third-degree assault

Smith, Michael H., 44

• fourth-degree theft of property

Taylor, Randy E., 52

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

Murphree, Russell W., 43

• DUI

Hanceville Police Department

No arrests reported.

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

CULLMAN - An informational meeting for the 2018 Distinguished Young Women of Cullman County Scholarship Program (formerly Cullman County Junior Miss) will be held Sunday, March 18 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Cullman.

High school girls in their junior year who are residents of Cullman County are invited to attend this meeting with a parent.  We will go over the program details and give out applications for the June 16, 2018 program.

If you have questions or if you are interested but unable to attend the March 18 meeting, please contact Felicia Carden at 256-385-5287 or cullman@distinguishedyw.org.

Find out more at http://cullman.al.distinguishedyw.org.

Distinguished Young Women of Cullman County by cullmansense on Scribd

Image courtesy of Distinguished Young Women.

CULLMAN - The Cullman County Commission today decided to take a step back on the recently-implemented no cooler rule at Stony Lonesome OHV Park. After public backlash, this morning, the commission changed that rule. Now, patrons will be allowed to have coolers on the trails, but there will be mandatory cooler checks upon entrance to the park and random checks on the trails for alcohol and safety harnesses. Patrons found with alcohol will be ejected from the park with no refunds.

The commission approved several rule changes for Stony Lonesome OHV Park back on February 27 in response to a fatal wreck at the park that claimed the life of 21-year-old Hannah Bates.

Check back for more.

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Image: Tribune file photo

Cullman Caring for Kids Director Javon Daniel in the CCK food pantry / W.C. Mann

CULLMAN - Two years ago, an average of 550 families were receiving some type of service each month from Cullman Caring for Kids (CCK), but in the last year, that number has soared to more than 650 per month.  Director Javon Daniel said that up to 100 new families enter the food program each month, creating an increasing burden on the agency's resources.

“Right now, we’re holding our own,” said Daniel, “but we distribute somewhere between 8 to 10 tons of food a month, and when you go through that much food, you’re not going to be able to keep it.  If we’ve got it, we give it out; we don’t hold it back and hoard it. So, we go through a lot of food in just a very short time.

“We went (to the North Alabama Food Bank) a couple of weeks ago, and we brought back about 20,000 pounds.  If I’m not mistaken, it was a little over $1,800 that we paid for it. We’re in the process of ordering some cereal locally, because that’s something we just can’t get at the food bank.  They have such a limited supply, so we have to buy that locally.

“We go (to the food bank) about once a month, but most of our donations come from individuals, churches.  We do pick up five days a week from Wal-Mart--the south store--and Publix. And what they contribute, and what the community contributes, and what we’re able to buy is how we get through the months.”

According to Daniel, CCK has particular need right now for cereal.  In the bank’s food storage area, he pointed out two shelves of boxed cereals, and noted that the current stock would probably not last more than three days.  As the season progresses toward the end of the school year, the need will increase for common kid foods like peanut butter and jelly, mac and cheese, canned ravioli and spaghetti, boxed pastas and pasta sauces.  CCK is not picky, though; it will accept just about any food donation that comes its way.

“I learned a long time ago,” said Daniel.  “I’ll take every can of green beans and corn, mixed vegetables, and early peas, and whatever.  I’m not going to turn down any canned goods.”

For all its reputation as a food supplier, CCK is not a hunger prevention agency.  According to Daniel, "Our mission is to stop child abuse, to make people aware of child abuse . . . Anything that we can do to make people more aware of child abuse, and to help prevent child abuse, that’s what we do."

So why all the food?  Daniel explained that hungry children plus helpless parents equal a household full of anxiety and frustration, a formula for abuse.  A simple bagful of nutrition can make a world of difference for a child.

Daniel took time to talk about two of CCK’s other programs:

CASA-Court Appointed Special Advocates  

Trained personnel are assigned to specific cases by courts and conduct independent investigations into cases of abuse, to do whatever is in the child's best interest.  

According to Daniel: “Volunteers, strictly volunteers, are trained, screened very thoroughly, and then after that is done, then they are sworn in by the District Court judges, and they become court officials on a case that they are assigned to.  And their job, in those instances, is to do their own investigation to determine the facts about a particular case. And they are assigned to a case of a child who is in court for abuse or neglect, and they do their own investigation.  And when they’re finished with the investigation, they write a report to the judge; and in that report they state the facts that they learned during the investigation, and make recommendations to the judge, based on those facts.

“What we usually say is they become the eyes and ears for the judge, because the judge cannot get out and do that in every case.  But, more importantly, I think, is that they become the voice for the child, because children have very little to say about custody cases and abuse cases.  It’s just important that they know that they have somebody who, their only purpose is to be there for that child. We don’t work for DHR; we don’t work for the attorneys.  We are there as volunteers to help that child to get into a safe, permanent home as soon as possible.”

CCK/CASA just finished training eight new advocates, bringing the total to 18.  The organization will gladly take more volunteers since, at any given time, around 40 area children will be involved in cases that fall within CASA’s scope.

"Kids Matter"

Radio shows on Fridays (WKUL, 9:30 a.m.) and Sundays (WRJL, 3 p.m.) address child abuse prevention to a regional market of more than one million potential listeners.  Some topics might be uncomfortable to talk about, but Daniel insists that no worthwhile subject is off the table if its discussion can help stop or prevent abuse.

Said Daniel, “Kids do matter, and what they think, and what they’re experiencing, and what they’re going through does matter.  So what we try to do is we try to talk about children and family issues every week that will help those listeners to get as good information as we can possibly give them about a given situation or subject.  

“I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite part, but it’s way up on the list; because I like to talk!  but it’s very important. We’re starting our 14th year of doing ‘Kids Matter.’”

Community partners

Daniel began trying to list the various local businesses, industries and agencies that support what CCK does, but he became concerned that he would miss names from such a long list, so he simply concluded:

“This whole community--I don’t want to single out anybody, because I’m afraid I’ll leave somebody out--this whole community is the most wonderful place to live, and raise your children, and have a family, because this community really does seriously take care of its own.  And that’s awesome!”

Immediate needs at the CCK food bank

CCK has immediate need of cereal, especially kids’ cereals.  In the near future, the organization will need increased donations of peanut butter and jelly, mac and cheese, canned pasta and other popular kids’ foods.

CCK, through partnerships with the North Alabama Food Bank, Publix and Wal-Mart, can purchase food items in bulk, in some cases for less than 10 cents per pound.  If you want to help, but are uncertain about what food to donate, be assured that CCK can make your monetary donation go a long way.

For more information or to become involved, visit www.cullmancaringforkids.com or call  256-739-1111.

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Cullman County Commission Chairman Kenneth Walker, right, smiles at individuals gathered to attend the commission meeting Tuesday morning. / Nick Griffin

CULLMAN - The Cullman County Commission Tuesday morning decided to take a step back on the recently-implemented no-cooler rule at Stony Lonesome OHV Park. After public backlash, the commission changed that rule. Now, patrons will be allowed to have coolers on the trails, but there will be mandatory cooler checks upon entrance to the trails and random checks on the trails for alcohol and safety harnesses. Patrons found with alcohol will be ejected from the park with no refunds.

The commission approved several rule changes for Stony Lonesome OHV Park back on Feb. 27 in response to a fatal wreck at the park that claimed the life of 21-year-old Hannah Bates.

At its meeting Tuesday morning, the commission heard several opinions from park supporters who disagreed with the no-cooler rule. The supporters gave a variety of reasons for disagreeing, ranging from the need to have cool drinks on the trail in the heat, to maintaining the popularity of a local attraction, and being skeptical that the rule would prevent people from carrying alcohol onto the trails. Many of the supporters said they believe that a lot of the problems could be solved by better enforcing current policies rather than adding new ones.

Cullman County Parks and Recreation Director Doug Davenport addressed the commission.

“Mr. Chairman, I want to first thank y’all for reconsidering the decision that was made at the previous meeting about no coolers, but we ask that we be able to check the coolers. It’ll be mandatory at the gate when you go into the trail entrance and they’ll be randomly checked throughout the park, patrolling the trails not only for coolers for alcohol but making sure that they are wearing their safety harness and their seat belts,” Davenport said. “If we do find alcohol in there, we want to keep it family-friendly and get the permission to eject them from the park immediately without any refunds.”

After hearing from Davenport and several park supporters, the commission approved the change to the cooler policy. Commissioners Garry Marchman and Kerry Watson, as well as Commission Chairman Kenneth Walker, agreed that the initial cooler policy was not handled as well as it could’ve been and thanked all of the park supporters who attended the meeting to voice their dissent.

After putting the new park rules in place, the commission moved on to new business, starting with an Amendment 772 hearing to consider a development agreement between the commission and AGCOR Steel. AGCOR is moving from Vinemont to Good Hope, 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. A resolution must be passed by each of the three government entities before the deal can go forward. Good Hope passed its resolution on Feb. 26. Cullman will hold its Amendment 772 hearing on March 26.

Stanley Kennedy of the Cullman Economic Development Agency elaborated.

“The importance of this project is not only adding a new facility, it’s keeping a company here in Cullman County. It’s the retainment of jobs here in Cullman, 26 jobs currently, that would go somewhere else if this agreement does not work out, but also the adding of 25-30 new jobs. The agreement is to pay back the value of the land based on the County giving a half-cent, Good Hope giving a half-cent and Cullman giving a half-cent. It’s nine percent sales tax in Good Hope now, you would be paying a cent and a half to get 6-and-a-half cents, but in terms of the County, to make a ratio that is simple to understand, for every 5 cents you would be rebating you would gain nine cents,” Kennedy said. “At the projected sales tax, Cullman County would have a net revenue of $36,000 a year on new money. This is money that doesn’t exist already in Cullman County. You also retain original sales tax so the sales they already were doing in the county, you will not be rebating those taxes. I think its important that we do this project to keep a Cullman-based company in Cullman and bring us some new jobs, but also retain some local peoples’ jobs.”

After hearing from Kennedy, the commission approved Resolution 2018-16 to sign Amendment 772 for AGCOR Steel. The resolution states that the commission was able to find a beneficial public purpose for the citizens of Cullman County in order to sign the development agreement with AGCOR.

Next, the commission approved an abatement for North Alabama Fabricating Company (NAFCO) in the amount of $2,288,850 for equipment and machinery over the next 10 years. The community will receive a $2.3 million investment as a result as well as $80,000 in tax revenues for education during that time.

The commission authorized Walker to sign the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Fiscal Year 2018 Certifications and Assurances on behalf of CARTS.

It also authorized the county administrator to sign change orders to the Smart Fusion Software Agreement and authorized Walker to reappoint Joe Minor to the Joppa Water Board for a six-year term expiring March 1, 2024.

The commission’s next work session will be Tuesday, March 27 at 8:30 a.m. in the commission conference room followed by the commission meeting at 10 a.m. in the meeting room.

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Human trafficking is defined as modern day slavery and involves the use of force, fraud or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. People often confuse trafficking with human smuggling, which involves movement of persons. These are not interchangeable terms. Smuggling is transportation-based and Trafficking is exploitation-based. I wish the language could be changed to human exploitation."

Kathy Wilson, chair of the Cullman County Human Trafficking Task Force

CULLMAN - Cullman County saw its first two arrests for human trafficking last year, and recently added another defendant with multiple charges to that list.  This last case has been the source of much discussion and debate over what constitutes human trafficking, with many people admitting to an assumption that the crime must involve kidnapping and transport to another country, a scenario often depicted in movies and on television.

While the Hollywood version is a form of trafficking, the definition actually covers a wider range of offenses. The Tribune took a look at the official Code of Alabama to understand exactly what constitutes human trafficking, then reviewed cases around the state.

Code of Alabama, Section 13A-6-151, definitions

(1) COERCION. Any of the following:

a. Causing or threatening to cause physical injury or mental suffering to any person, physically restraining or confining any person, or threatening to physically restrain or confine any person or otherwise causing the person performing or providing labor or services to believe that the person or another person will suffer physical injury or mental suffering.

b. Implementing any scheme, plan, or pattern intended to cause a person to believe that failure to perform an act would result in physical injury, mental suffering, or physical restraint of any person.

c. Destroying, concealing, removing, confiscating, or withholding from the person or another person, or threatening to destroy, conceal, remove, confiscate, or withhold from the person or another person, the person's or any person's actual or purported government records, immigration documents, identifying information, or personal or real property.

d. Exposing or threatening to expose any fact or information that if revealed would tend to subject a person to criminal prosecution, criminal or immigration proceedings, hatred, contempt, or ridicule.

e. Threatening to report the person or another person to immigration officials or to other law enforcement officials or otherwise blackmailing or extorting the person or another person.

f. Controlling a person's access to a controlled substance, as the term is defined in Section 20-2-2.

g. Rape or sodomy or threatened rape or sodomy of any person, as defined in Title 13A.

(2) DECEPTION. Any of the following:

a. Creating or confirming an impression of any existing fact or past event which is false and which the accused knows or believes to be false.

b. Exerting financial control over the person or another person by placing the person or another person under the actor's control as a security or payment of a debt, if the value of the services as reasonably assessed is not applied toward the liquidation of the debt or the length and nature of those services are not respectively limited and defined or the principal amount of the debt does not reasonably reflect the value of the items or services for which debt was incurred or by preventing a person from acquiring information pertinent to the disposition of the debt, referenced in this paragraph.

c. Promising benefits or the performance of services which the accused does not intend to be delivered. Evidence of failure to deliver benefits or perform services standing alone shall not be sufficient to authorize a conviction under this article.

d. Using any scheme, plan, or pattern, whether overt or subtle, intended to cause any person to believe that, if the person did not perform such labor, services, acts, or performances, the person or another person would suffer physical injury or mental suffering.

(3) LABOR SERVITUDE.Work or service of economic or financial value which is performed or provided by another person and is induced or obtained by coercion or deception.

(4) MENTAL SUFFERING. A high degree of mental pain or emotional disturbances, such as distress, anxiety, public humiliation, or psychosomatic physical symptoms. It is more than mere disappointment, anger, resentment, wounded pride, or embarrassment and must be a direct result of the crime of human trafficking.

(5) MINOR. A person under the age of 18.

(6) PHYSICAL INJURY.Impairment of physical condition or substantial pain.

(7) SEXUAL SERVITUDE. Any of the following:

a. Any sexual conduct as defined in subdivision (3) of Section 14-11-30, for which anything of value is directly or indirectly given, promised to, or received by any person, which conduct is induced or obtained by coercion or deception from a person.

b. Sexual conduct includes:

1. Sexually explicit performances, meaning an act or show intended to arouse, satisfy the sexual desires of, or appeal to the prurient interests of patrons or viewers, whether public or private, live, photographed, recorded, videotaped, or projected over the Internet.

2. Commercial sex acts, meaning any sex act on account of which anything of value is given, promised to, or received, directly or indirectly, by any person.

3. Acts defined in subdivision (3) of Section 14-11-30.

(8) TRAFFICKING VICTIM.Any person, including minors, subjected to labor servitude, sexual servitude, or involuntary servitude.

Code of Alabama, Section 13A-6-152, first-degree human trafficking

(a) A person commits the crime of human trafficking in the first degree if:

(1) He or she knowingly subjects another person to labor servitude or sexual servitude through use of coercion or deception.

(2) He or she knowingly obtains, recruits, entices, solicits, induces, threatens, isolates, harbors, holds, restrains, transports, provides, or maintains any minor for the purpose of causing a minor to engage in sexual servitude.

(3) For purposes of this section, it is not required that the defendant have knowledge of a minor victim's age, nor is reasonable mistake of age a defense to liability under this section.

(4) A corporation, or any other legal entity other than an individual, may be prosecuted for human trafficking in the first degree for an act or omission only if an agent of the corporation or entity performs the conduct which is an element of the crime while acting within the scope of his or her office or employment and on behalf of the corporation or entity, and the commission of the crime was either authorized, requested, commanded, performed, or within the scope of the person's employment on behalf of the corporation or entity or constituted a pattern of conduct that an agent of the corporation or entity knew or should have known was occurring.

(5) Any person who obstructs, or attempts to obstruct, or in any way interferes with or prevents the enforcement of this section shall be guilty of a Class C felony.

(b) Human trafficking in the first degree is a Class A felony.

Code of Alabama, Section 13A-6-153, second-degree human trafficking

(a) A person commits the crime of human trafficking in the second degree if:

(1) A person knowingly benefits, financially or by receiving anything of value, from participation in a venture or engagement for the purpose of sexual servitude or labor servitude.

(2) A person knowingly recruits, entices, solicits, induces, harbors, transports, holds, restrains, provides, maintains, subjects, or obtains by any means another person for the purpose of labor servitude or sexual servitude.

(3) A corporation, or any other legal entity other than an individual, may be prosecuted for human trafficking in the second degree for an act or omission only if an agent of the corporation or entity performs the conduct which is an element of the crime while acting within the scope of his or her office or employment and on behalf of the corporation or entity, and the commission of the crime was either authorized, requested, commanded, performed, or within the scope of the person's employment on behalf of the corporation or entity or constituted a pattern of conduct that an agent of the corporation or entity knew or should have known was occurring.

(4) Any person who obstructs, or attempts to obstruct, or in any way interferes with or prevents the enforcement of this section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(b) Human trafficking in the second degree is a Class B felony.

Alabama cases

All of the following cases ended with the conviction of the defendants.  Alabama’s first human trafficking law was passed only in 2010, so sufficient time has not passed for a large case history.  At the end of each listing is an explanation of the case in language from the Alabama Code.

• November 2011 - Manuel Zelaya-Rodriguez was convicted on federal human trafficking charges after hiring a 15-year-old female illegal alien, who had been living in Auburn, to come to Auburn and work for him as a prostitute.  She made contact with him first, hearing that he was a pimp, and offered her services. She had previously worked as a prostitute for her boyfriend in Atlanta but fled from him due to physical abuse. Zelaya-Rodriguez was arrested in 2009, before Alabama’s law, so he was tried on federal charges.
• May 15, 2014 - In the first case prosecuted under Alabama law, Santiago Alonso was convicted of human trafficking and giving drugs to a minor, after a 17-year-old girl escaped from the Dothan hotel where he was holding her.  The victim testified that she was held against her will and was forced to take drugs and work as a prostitute, being advertised on Backpage.com. Alonso knowingly subjected another person to sexual servitude through use of coercion; and he knowingly threatened, isolated, held, restrained, transported, and maintained a minor for the purpose of sexual servitude.
• Dec. 17, 2015 - Former Bibb County Sheriff’s Deputy Ervin Heard was convicted of human trafficking, sex abuse, and unlawful imprisonment after accepting sex in exchange for overlooking traffic violations and minor drug offenses.  One victim claimed that she felt he would harm if she did not comply, when he detained her after a traffic stop.  Heard knowingly subject another person to sexual servitude through use of coercion, and he knowingly solicited, held, and restrained another person for the purpose of sexual servitude.
• June 22, 2017 - Kelandus Tarvares Consenta was convicted of second degree human trafficking after providing drugs, money, and shelter to a woman while requiring her to work for him as a prostitute.  Consenta knowingly benefited financially from participation in a venture for the purpose of sexual servitude; and knowingly harbored, transported, held, and maintained another person for the purpose of sexual servitude.
• Feb. 9, 2018 - Michael Graham Lowe was convicted of sex trafficking of a minor and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor, after delivering a minor to a Montgomery hotel to perform commercial sex acts. He advertised the victim on Backpage.com and used the money to purchase drugs. Lowe knowingly subjected another person to sexual servitude through use of coercion; and knowingly held, provided, and maintained a minor for the purpose of sexual servitude.

Cullman County cases

All three Cullman County cases are still pending.  Defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty in court.  Here we examine the formal charges and allegations, while offering no opinions on guilt or innocence.

• May 9, 2017 - Kenneth Loyd Woods, a previously registered sex offender, was arrested on two counts of first-degree human trafficking along with electronic solicitation of a child, second-degree rape, transmission of obscene material to a child and enticing a child for immoral purposes.  According to the complaint, he supplied alcohol and drugs to students at Fairview High School, then demanded payment from them in the form of sex acts.  In the words of the law, Woods allegedly recruited, enticed, solicited and induced a minor for the purpose of sexual servitude.
• Sept. 1, 2017 - Stefanie Nichole Weaver of Vinemont was arrested on one count of first-degree human trafficking along with second-degree sodomy and facilitating the travel of a child for an unlawful sex act. According to the complaint, she met a minor on Facebook, traveled to Ohio to have sex with her, and brought her back to Alabama to continue their activities.  The minor was reported in Ohio as a runaway. In the words of the law, Weaver allegedly obtained, recruited, enticed, solicited, induced, harbored, transported and maintained a minor for the purpose of sexual servitude.
• March 5, 2018 - Cullman attorney Randy Hames was arrested on two counts of second-degree human trafficking.  According to the complaint, he requested rent payment from two female residents at a trailer park he owns in the form of sex.  On March 10, while out on bond, he was re-arrested on an unknown number of additional human trafficking charges, including at least one in the first degree. In the words of the law, Hames may have attempted to subject another person to sexual servitude through use of coercion and attempted to solicit another person for the purpose of sexual servitude.

For more information

To learn more about human trafficking:

• around the world, visit the website of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime at http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/index.html?ref=menuside.
• in the United States, visit the Department of Justice website https://www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
• in Alabama, visit the Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force website https://www.enditalabama.org.
• In the Cullman area, visit https://www.facebook.com/Cullman-County-Human-Trafficking-Task-Force-870....  

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Bob Wallace Appliance Co-Owner Chris Haygood, left, accepts a plaque from John Keys of O'Rourke Sales, the distributor of Speed Queen appliances in the Alabama area on Tuesday. Bob Wallace Appliance was named 2017 Speed Queen Dealer of the Year. / Nick Griffin

CULLMAN - The ribbon was cut, and the doors were officially opened, at Bob Wallace Appliance in Cullman Tuesday, and a crowd made up of the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, store employees, family members and the owners was there to celebrate. The store has been on a soft open for a few weeks, but Tuesday marked its official opening.

Dennis Haygood, who owns the company along with his son Chris, has been working on getting a location in Cullman for two years and is excited to start becoming a part of the community.

“The growth and enthusiasm of Cullman is great and it’s a good market, we felt like it was a good opportunity here. We’ve had a lot of people show interest in our coming and everything in this area. We did have a presence in Cullman; we deliver here once a week from Huntsville anyway, so we had some customers here and I felt like it would be a real good market,” said the older Haygood. “I would say we expect a large growth; we’re starting out with a small staff and we’ll adjust as we grow and everything but the interest that’s been shown so far since we’ve had the soft opening is exciting for us. We really haven’t done any advertising or anything yet, so we anticipate a lot of growth here. This is a good location for us and the fact that it’s been an appliance store here for 60 plus years will help us for sure.”

Bob Wallace Appliance moved into the space that housed the family-owned Luyben & Boike appliance store from 1956 to 2016 at 224 First Avenue SE. The new store’s manager, Rodney O’Barr, knows the history of the lot and the legacy Bob Wallace will be following and is excited to officially open up and get started.

“The reception from the community so far has been great. This’ll be our fifth week open and they’ve been great supporting us, coming in and buying from us and so all we want to do is get an opportunity to be able to offer something and then it’s up to us to keep maintaining it so we just appreciate the business they’ve given us so far. We hope to be here for a long, long time. I don’t know if we’ll be here quite as long as Doug (Boike), at least I won’t,” O’Barr joked. “But we hope to be here for a long time.”

O’Barr has also gotten a chance in the last few weeks to get to know the people and the city of Cullman itself and is excited to be able to provide services within the community.

“As far as Cullman, I love the small-town atmosphere. I love the people; the people here are so great to deal with. I always say you see what you get, and I love that about the people, I don’t have to put on airs or anything like that, the people are great. They support small-town businesses like we are, and our big thing is we service what we sell, and we stand behind what we sell. We want to treat people the way we want to be treated and everything else usually will follow suit.”

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for March 13. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.

GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear

Cullman County Sheriff’s Office

Allen, Jennifer Renae, 42

• driving while suspended
• improper turn
• illegal possession of prescription medicine

Chalmers, David Wayne, 46

• FTA- establishment of residence SORNA

Hays, David Andrew, 31

• third-degree criminal trespassing

Hunkeapillar, Hunter Glenn, 24

• possession of drug paraphernalia
• FTA- possession of drug paraphernalia
• FTA- fourth-degree receiving stolen property

Millwood, Joshua E., 27

• FTA- attempting to elude
• FTA- harassing communications
• FTA- possession of drug paraphernalia
• FTA- unlawful possession of a controlled substance
• FTA- unauthorized use of a vehicle

Pitt, Natalie Marie, 34

• possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance

Watson, Joshua Patrick, 39

• FTA- third-degree domestic violence- third-degree criminal mischief

Wise, Randall Shane, 39

• judge’s order- second-degree theft of property

Cullman Police Department

Dunkin, Roger W., 46

• FTA- leaving the scene of an accident

Moore, Cristy M., 38

• FTA- possession of drug paraphernalia

Williams, Larry N., 20

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

Pointer, John III, 36

• FTA- third-degree receiving stolen property

Crawford, Lindsay M., 23

• FTA- disorderly conduct
• FTA- third-degree theft of property
• FTA- no seatbelt

Harvey, Lauren A., 21

• unlawful distribution of a controlled substance
• unlawful possession or receipt of a controlled substance (2 counts)
• second-degree unlawful possession or marijuana (2 counts)
• possession of drug paraphernalia (2 counts)
• promoting prison contraband
• speeding

Cummings, Jason J., 48

• unlawful possession or receipt of a controlled substance
• second-degree unlawful possession or marijuana
• possession of drug paraphernalia

Curvin, Meshach J., 22

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

Drake, Devron L., 20

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

Thursby, Terry W. Jr., 30

• possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance
• possession of drug paraphernalia
• tampering with physical evidence

Overton, Shayla D., 22

• FTA- insurance violation

Graves, Steven K., 29

• possession of drug paraphernalia

Keeton, Charles L. II, 34

• possession of drug paraphernalia

Hanceville Police Department

No arrests reported.

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

Cullman High School Bearcat Band members model the band’s new uniforms. / Photo courtesy Mary Hovater/CHS Band Boosters/CHS “Southerner”

CULLMAN - After years of fundraising including a hard push at the end to cover cost overruns, the Cullman High School Bearcat Band finally has its new uniforms.  Members recently got to have their pictures made for the yearbook in a wardrobe that has that new-band smell.

Band Boosters President Mary Hovater wrote for the yearbook and shared with The Tribune:

“Eleven years ago, when the last band uniforms were purchased, the Cullman Band Boosters began setting aside money toward the purchase of new uniforms.  After years of multiple exciting performances, the time came to purchase new uniforms for the students. The band, under the guidance of Mr. Smith and Mr. Teuscher, helped design the new uniforms.  After measurements were taken and a few revisions were made, the new uniform design was approved. At that point, the band directors gave DeMoulin Brothers Uniform Company permission to start sewing the new Cullman Bearcat Band uniforms.  In the meantime, money for the uniforms had to be raised since the total cost of the new uniforms was $25,000.00 more than the boosters had collected over the 11-year time frame. The band and boosters worked hard to raise the extra money.  Even our current seniors, who would never actually get to wear the uniforms on the field, contributed to the cause. Thankfully, with hard work and help from our community, the money was raised in time for the purchase to be completed. The new uniforms will be debuted on the field during the 2018 football season!”

She also added a personal note to The Tribune, saying, “This group of band students and boosters is amazing.  They would do whatever it takes to make this program the best it can be.”

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Probate judge candidate Carol Berry (third in line) with her campaign supporters Tuesday night in Vinemont / Heather Mann

VINEMONT - Tuesday’s meeting of the Vinemont Town Council welcomed a special visitor: Carol Berry, founder of Restoring Women Outreach and candidate for Cullman County probate judge. Berry discussed her hopes for the future of the office, as well as her work in the field of mental health and how she plans to use that experience in office.

“The three things I’d like to see changed in the office: I want to see the office returned to the people, I want to do some updating and streamlining in the office to make it more efficient and I want to work on mental health and finding other avenues that people can take to get help for their loved ones,” Berry said. She also stated that she would ensure an open-door policy and would do everything possible to help anyone who came in with a problem, including finding someone else who could help in the event that the office was unable to do so.

On her work with mental health, Berry referenced her women’s wellness program - Restoring Women Outreach (RWO)- which helps women who struggle with substance abuse and who have been diagnosed with mental health issues. Eight years after its foundation, RWO has five recovery houses, 31 women in its care and claims an 86 percent success rate.

“We work with substance abuse, we’ve seen cutting, eating disorders. We’ve seen bipolar, depression, anxiety, and we’ve seen other worse scenarios where people might be harmful to other people than just themselves,” said Berry, who said her work has brought her in connection with private practices and nonprofit organizations who help with mental health issues; Berry said she hopes to bring those connections into the office with her to help as many people as possible.

Of holding the office of probate judge, Berry stated, “I might not have the experience, but I can do the job. I can make the tough decisions - I have to make them every time we’re forced to send a woman back to jail. I can work with the other agencies and departments in the courthouse to get the job done. That office needs someone with love and compassion, and I’m the one for the job.”

Berry is challenging incumbent Cullman County Probate Judge Tammy Brown in the June 5 Republican Primary.

In other council business, the council passed resolutions to surplus three vehicles:

- a Nissan Sentra town car that was purchased about five years ago with new tires and low mileage

- a red Dodge truck purchased three to four years ago that had some work done and has been replaced by a 2011 Chevrolet

- a small white utility truck which was involved in an accident and has not been needed since being replaced by a Gator

The council also discussed the issue of drivers cutting across the median to get to the post office or the trailer park, but, aside from joking about not needing to mow that area anymore, agreed it couldn’t do anything to resolve the issue as the median is state property. With no other business, the council adjourned.

The Vinemont Town Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at Vinemont Town Hall. The public is welcome to attend.

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

The Colony Town Council met on Tuesday night. / W.C. Mann

COLONY - At its regular meeting Tuesday evening, the Colony Town Council heard about plans for a repeat of last year’s summer programs and moved forward on matters of community improvement.

At the request of Councilwoman Mary Parker, finance committee chairwoman, discussion of Colony’s proposed budget was once again tabled.  The budget, which would normally have been passed by the end of October, was delayed by the departure of two council members (including the finance committee chairwoman) and subsequent lacks of quorum.

Councilwoman Ethel Alexander, sanitation and utilities committee chairwoman, announced that she would be purchasing garbage bags for distribution to local residents, for use during a PALS-sponsored community cleanup in April.

Councilman Curtis Johnson, parks and recreation committee chairman, reported that Colony plans to repeat last year’s successful summer feeding program.  The 2017 program, which ran from the first week of June until the end of July, was commended by the North Alabama Food Bank. Though several other entities around the county took part in the federally-funded two-month program, Colony was the only site in the county that fed kids for the entire period.  

The council passed a resolution to locate the feeding program in a classroom at the town’s Educational Complex, and to relocate certain resources to other locations in the complex in order to make room for both the feeding program and other activities.  

Johnson also reported that the town gym will be open one day per week during the summer, in conjunction with the educational programs that accompany the feeding program.  He also pointed out that repairs to the educational complex roof appear to have been successful, as recent rains did not produce any leaks.

The council passed a resolution to take bids on a community storm shelter.  According to Mayor Donnis Leeth, the shelter project will be coordinated through Cullman County Economic Development.

The council passed a resolution to attend the Cullman Regional Foundation Gala at the Cullman Civic Center on April 21 and to purchase a table at a cost of $300.  

Leeth announced that Colony will hold a public meeting at the Educational Complex on Thursday, March 15, to talk about the town’s outstanding debt.  According to the mayor, the town defaulted on a loan at Compass Bank after a previous mayor failed to sign necessary paperwork. The council will present and discuss ideas about how the town can get its finances straightened out.  Leeth said that he will also talk to local residents about efforts through Cullman County Economic Development to locate a Dollar General in Colony.

The mayor also announced that the community will have a fish and chicken wing fry at the Colony Senior Citizens’ Center on Saturday, March 24.

The Colony Town Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, at 6 p.m., in Colony Town Hall.  The public is invited to attend.

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Lauren Harvey / Cullman Police Department

CULLMAN - The Cullman Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit (CSU) on Tuesday arrested Lauren Alexandra Harvey, 21, of Cullman for one count of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance for allegedly selling methamphetamine. She was also arrested on a warrant for unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Harvey was transported to the Cullman County Detention Center, according to the CPD, and while there, was allegedly found to be in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia, resulting in additional charges of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and second-degree promoting prison contraband.

Harvey has since made bond.   

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Terry Thursby, Jr. / Cullman Police Department

CULLMAN - A Cullman man was arrested on Tuesday by the Cullman Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit (CSU), charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and tampering with physical evidence.

According to the CPD, officers initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Terry Wayne Thursby, Jr., 30, but before pulling to the side of the roadway, Thursby allegedly threw a black case out of the passenger side window of the vehicle.  Officers recovered the case, which the CPD said contained approximately 10 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia items. 

Thursby was transported to the Cullman County Detention Center where he has since made bond. 

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.