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The Marion County Farmer's Market Open June 14, 2007

Hamilton -  The Marion County Farmer's Market is finishing the final touches and are getting ready to open it doors on June 14, 2007. The Market will be located in the Old Weston Fire Station building next to Postell's Meat Market. You must have a valid grower's permit in order to sell. The hours of operations are:

Tuesday - 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Thursday - 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday - 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Farmer's Market Senior Voucher sign up will be June 14, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

For more information on this and other topics visit us on the web at www.aces.edu/marion or call 205-921-3551.

Bart McDonald & Dustin Pipkins from McDonald Signs, Guin, Al. are shown installing the new Farmer's Market sign.

Amy Hardin
Administrative Assistant
P.O. Box 400
Hamilton, Al 35570
Phone: 205-921-3551
Fax: 205-921-3018

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Jim Skinner of Jim Skinner Ford Fame Dies

Jim Skinner died Saturday, August 4, 2007, at the age of 87. Patriarch of a Birmingham auto dealership family and sometimes star of a series of quirky television commercials, Skinner founded Jim Skinner Ford more than 50 years ago, and it remains one of Alabama's oldest family-owned car dealerships.  Click here to see Obit.

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Senator Roger Bedford July 27th Capitol Report

This past week, we began the announcement of several economic development grants for our senate district. It was a pleasure for me this past week to attend the announcement of two grants for the City of Fayette. The first was $149,700 and will be used to improve the roadway to the industrial park including a drainage system and erosion prevention measures. The second grand was for $232,200 for improving the water and sewage system at the industrial park including additional water and sewage pipes as well as installing more fire hydrants. Both of these grants will greatly enhance the economic development and growth potential. The money will be available through the 666 Industrial Bond Commission recent industrial bond letting of which I am a member of the board. The monies should become available on or about August 7, 2007 for use on this project. I appreciate the hard work of Mayor Ray Nelson, the city council of Fayette, Probate Judge William Oswalt and the Fayette County Commission as well as Representative William Thigpen in helping with this project as well.


I was also able to attend an industrial announcement in Double Springs in Winston County this past Thursday. Posture Craft Mattress Company announced that it would be expanding its operations there in Double Springs. This is good news for the area. I was proud to help them secure the water grant that helped make this expansion possible. It is important to note that much of our economic growth comes from existing industries expanding their current operations. I want to thank the leadership of Double Springs for their hardwork in this matter.


Congratulations goes to Dr. Harold Wade of Bevill State Community College on being awarded a Workforce Investment Act grant in the amount of $355,332. The grant will be used to provide employment and training services to dislocated workers and adults through the Tractor Trailer Truck Driving Program in North Alabama.

Congratulations also goes out to Keith Jones and the other fine members of the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments, also known as NACOLG, on receiving a $100,000 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. The grant will be used for the implementation and delivery of short-term training opportunities in PLC Electrical Industrial Maintenance. These two grants are very important as we must due all that we can to make sure our workforce receives the necessary training so that they can be competitive in today’s job market.


I also had the pleasure of presenting some grant checks in Franklin County this past week including $750 to the Belgreen Booster Club to assist with equipment and a concession stand, $1,000 to the Belgreen High School cheerleaders, $250 to the Russellville Youth Cheerleaders, $500 to the Russellville Little League, $2,000 to Tharptown High School for their athletic program and $2,000 to the Russellville Middle School football program. I appreciate the students, coaching staff, sponsors and parents for their hard work and dedication in participating in these programs.

I was also able to give a $200 Give A Kid A Chance program which provides school supplies and clothing to children at no costs to the parents. They also provide physicals and haircuts to the participants as well. This is a great program that helps those who cannot afford the many supplies needed to start school.


This past week, it was announced that the Alabama Department of Public Safety will be starting the "Take Back our Highways" campaign the week of August 13. The purpose of the campaign is to focus attention on safe driving practices. Currently, traffic fatalities in Alabama are the highest they have been since 1973. Many of these fatalities are caused from failure of individuals to obey the laws in place including following the speed limit, wearing seat belts and driving under the influence. The officers will be enforcing the posted speed limits on the various roads throughout Alabama as well as seat belt use and various other violations. While this week is designated to emphasis the need to drive safely and an increase in Alabama Department of Safety personnel will be out that week to enforce them, we should always be careful when on the road and obey traffic laws. These laws are there for our protection and to try and save lives.


Thank you for your cards, e-mails, letters and phone calls about issues of concern to you. Please continue to contact me at the following addresses and numbers:

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A.C.E.S. FALL NUTRITION SERIES

Marion County - Applied Tools For Efficient Cattle Production
Alabama Video Conference Series. Upper Coastal Plains Substation near Winfield, AL.

Meetings will begin July 31, 2007. Series of 5 meetings with a cost of $50.00 for entire series of $15.00 for 1 night.

For more information visit us on the web at www.aces.edu/marion
or call
205-921-3551.


Amy Hardin
Administrative Assistant
P.O. Box 400
Hamilton, Al 35570
Phone: 205-921-3551
Fax: 205-921-3018
 

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• Rural crashes: 411

• Injuries: 161

• Fatalities: 4

• Motorist assists: 580

• Trooper traffic arrests: 26,126

• Hazardous arrests: 17,991

• Includes:

• DUI: 140

• Speeding: 11,931

• Following too closely: 684

• Improper lane change: 241

• SB/CR: 4,995

• Non-hazardous arrests: 8,135

• Non-traffic arrests: 620

• Warnings: 1,308

• Rural crashes: 453

• Injuries: 197

• Fatalities: 13

• Motorist assists: 406

• Trooper traffic arrests: 5,932

• Hazardous arrests: 4,506

• Non-hazardous arrests: 1,426

• Warnings: 2,192

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MARION COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TASK FORCE
400 Goldenwood Drive
Hamilton, AL 35570
September 3, 2007

The Marion County Domestic Violence Task Force will hold their monthly meeting on September 27th at Oh!Bryan’s Family Steakhouse at noon. Oh!Bryan’s is located in Hamilton at 390 Rock Cliff Road but sits on Highway 17.

One lucky meeting attendee will win a gift certificate good at Super-Valu in Hamilton. The public is welcome to attend the meeting which usually lasts about an hour.

For more information contact Lynn Brown at 205-412-8772 or email to brown_mcdvtf@yahoo.com.

“Because Everyone Deserves a Home That’s a Safe Place!”

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If you have experienced any of the symptoms which I have mentioned above, please email me at jmays@49countynews.net and share your experiences.  Sometimes, it just helps to share your burdens, don't you think?   jmays 7/21/2007

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NEWS FROM THE NORTH WEST ALABAMA ARTS COUNCIL

We received this today from the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel as the lead story in their August 17 newsletter:

"Y’all Magazine has special section on “The Year of Alabama Arts”
The September edition of Y’all – The Magazine of Southern People has a special 12-page section dedicated to state tourism’s “The Year of Alabama Arts” promotion. Highlighted in the section are: the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art in Auburn, Jack Warner and the Westervelt-Warner Museum of American Art in Tuscaloosa, Jerry Brown Pottery in Hamilton, “The Miracle Worker” play at Helen Keller’s birthplace in Tuscumbia, the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, the Wiregrass Museum of Art in Dothan, and the Quilts of Gee’s Bend. www.yall.com/feature2.shtml "

The article is pretty lengthy and mentions the JBAF. In fact, the photo in the article is one from the festival. When you look at the other individuals and places and events listed above, it is a very prestigious list. What wonderful publicity for the festival!

Hope you enjoy!


Northwest Alabama Arts Council, Inc.
P.O. Box 694
Hamilton, AL 35570
(205) 921-9483
www.nwaarts.org
www.jbaf.org

Press  Release:  Compliments of  North West Ala. Arts Council

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FDA Approves Second-Generation Smallpox Vaccine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has licensed a new vaccine to protect against smallpox, a highly contagious disease with the potential to be used as a deadly bioterror weapon.

The vaccine, ACAM2000, is intended for the inoculation of people at high risk of exposure to smallpox and could be used to protect individuals and populations during a bioterrorist attack. It will be included in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Strategic National Stockpile of medical supplies.

A worldwide vaccination program eradicated smallpox in the population. The last case of naturally occurring smallpox in the U.S. was in 1949 and the last case in the world was reported in Somalia in 1977. Known stockpiles of the virus are kept only in two approved labs in the United States and Russia. The CDC considers it a Category A agent, meaning it presents one of the greatest potential threats for harming public health.

Smallpox is caused by the variola virus, a virus that emerged in human populations thousands of years ago. It spreads through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated objects, such as bedding or clothing. There is no FDA-approved treatment for smallpox and the only prevention is vaccination.

"The licensure of ACAM2000 supplements our current supply of smallpox vaccine, meaning we are more prepared to protect the population should the virus ever be used as a weapon," said Jesse L. Goodman, M.D., M.P.H., director of FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. "This vaccine is manufactured using modern cell culture technology allowing rapid and large scale production of a vaccine with consistent product quality."

The symptoms of smallpox typically began with high fever, head and body aches. A rash followed that spread and progressed to raised bumps and pus-filled blisters that crusted, scabbed, and fell off after about three weeks, leaving a pitted scar. The fatality rate historically was about 30 percent, according to the CDC.

ACAM2000 is made using a pox virus called vaccinia, which is related to but different from the virus that causes smallpox. The vaccine contains live vaccinia virus and works by causing a mild infection that stimulates an immune response that effectively protects against smallpox without actually causing the disease.

The vaccine is derived from the only other smallpox vaccine licensed by FDA, Dryvax, approved in 1931 and now in limited supply because it is no longer manufactured.

Although smallpox vaccination ended in the United States in 1972 because it was no longer needed for prevention, the U.S. military resumed vaccination of at-risk personnel in 1999, after concluding that the disease posed a potential bioterrorism threat.

For the rest of the story go here

FDA News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2007
Media Inquiries:
Karen Riley, 301-827-6242
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA

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"NORTHWEST ALABAMA ARTS COUNCIL" nwal.artscouncil@yahoo.com

Just to let you all know that the chamber board did not meet this past Monday night. We will let you know as soon as the chamber board meets and discusses the fine arts section of Fall Fest and our anticipated role(s). We will then schedule a meeting at that point in time.

Northwest Alabama Arts Council, Inc.
P.O. Box 694
Hamilton, AL 35570
(205) 921-9483
www.nwaarts.org
www.jbaf.org

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August 31, 2007 Senator Roger Bedford Capitol Report

This past week, I was also able to attend a reception for Dr. Harold Wade for his retirement as President of Bevill State Community College. Dr. Wade has done an excellent job for the faculty and students of Bevill State. Through his leadership, Bevill State has become a strong institute of learning which serves our area well with campuses in Hamilton, Fayette and Sumiton. During his tenure, we have seen the expansion of the nursing programs as well as other areas so that students will be able to obtain the knowledge necessary for the jobs of today and tomorrow. I appreciate his fine service and dedication and wish him well for the future.

I had the opportunity to watch Russellville native, Canaan Farris in action this past Thursday when he played for Millsap University in Mississippi. It was an excellent game made more enjoyable for the shared fellowship at the game. I am very proud of Canaan’s hardwork and I wish him a good football season ahead.

It was good to see a cool down from the 100 plus degree weather we have been having. It is amazing how cool 90 feels after being subjected to 105 and 107 temperatures. I hope some of you have experienced the scattered showers that have passed through. Russellville has seen a few but, not nearly enough. Hopefully, we will soon break this pattern and get wide coverage rain so that this drought can finally be broken.

It is a pleasure for me to announce that the City of Russellville has received a grant in the amount of $2,270 from the Alabama Department of Transportation. The monies will be used to install apron area lighting at the Russellville Municipal Airport. This project will assist with economic growth and development.

It is so hot it is hard to believe winter is just around the corner, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs has issued three grants to assist area agencies with weatherization programs for low-income, elderly and disabled individuals to prepare their homes for the colder temperatures. The first grant is for the Community Action Agency of Northwest Alabama, Inc., in the amount of $39,588 which services the communities of Colbert, Franklin and Lauderdale Counties.

The second grant is for $30,453 for the Community Action Partnership of North Alabama, Inc., which services the communities in Cullman, Lawrence, Marion, Morgan and Winston Counties. The third weatherization grant is for $36,543 and is for the Community Service Programs of West Alabama, Inc., which serves Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Pickens and Tuscaloosa Counties.

Potential good news for our area was announced earlier this week when Indorama Polymers Group, a company based in Thailand, announced that it would build a plant in Decatur. The company will invest approximately $160 million and is expected to employ about 100 workers. Construction is expected to begin in October and should be finished in September 2009. The construction of the plant is expected to employ about 500 people. The company manufactures a chemical used in plastic beverage containers called polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin and the plant will be the largest producer of it in North America and the first such plant in Alabama. Thanks to the completion of many parts of the new Highway 24, the potential for area workers to commute to Decatur is easier and safer.

We have had dire news from the Alabama Medicaid Agency this past week, when Commissioner Carol Steckel announced that the agency would need an extra $199 million from the State to maintain services for the fiscal year 2009. The reason for the increase is that after FY2008, two federal programs that had put $124 into Medicaid will be cut. If the $199 million cannot be provided there is also the potential of the loss of $398 million in matching federal money. It is hoped that a solution can be found when we go into session next year so that we can avoid any loss of medical service for our elderly and children. You may rest assured that I will do all that I can to see that Medicaid services are not cut so that our elderly and children can continue to receive a good quality of healthcare.

Voices for Alabama’s Children released more discouraging news this past week announcing that Alabama has fallen from 43rd to 48th in the overall national rankings as it relates to the well-being of children. The program uses ten measures to determine its rankings. 2006 was the first year for Alabama to rise above the bottom five in rankings. Alabama saw improvements in the new of teen births which has dropped from 61 per 1,000 births in 2000 to 52 births per 1,000 which is still below the national average of 41 births per 1,000 births. We also a drop in our infant death rate from 9.4 deaths per 1,000 live births to 8.7, which is also below the national average of 6.8. The Voices report’s main objective is to focus local and state leaders attention to areas that need improvement. It is also noted that seven of the bottom ten states are in the Southeast where there is a high poverty rate. In fact, a quarter of all Alabama’s children live below the poverty level, 37 percent live in single-parent homes and 36 percent of children

in Alabama live in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment.

On a more upbeat note, it is good to see so many of our young people practicing and preparing for the football season. Many of area teams had there first game this week. Since, I am writing this prior to those games completion, I hope all are area schools did well and I wish them a good and safe football season, I am also looking forward to the first official football game for the University of Alabama. Just as they have been at the high school level, the college teams have been practicing hard as well and now we are going to get a taste of just how good a team Saban has been able to put together. I am very excited about going down and watching the game not only for the spirit of hope which Saban has brought but, also to enjoy some good times and memories with my family.

I hope all of you also had a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend. I appreciate all of those in law enforcement for their hard work and dedication in keeping our roads safe.

Please continue to contact me at the following addresses and numbers:

Roger H. Bedford, Jr.

Alabama State House

Suite 730, Montgomery, AL 36130

Phone:334-242-7862, Fax:334-353-4304

Roger Bedford & Associates, P.C.

P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653

Phone: 256-332-2880 Fax:256-332-7821

Email senbedford@aol.com website: www.rogerbedford.com

7-27-07

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Food Ratings Aug. 27- 31, 2007

Cedar Landing (Winfield) 94

China Buffet (Winfield) 86

China One (Hamilton) 85

Eastside Grill (Hamilton) 92

Foodland Deli (Winfield) 98

Foodland Supermarket (Winfield) 92

Frosty Front (Guin) 90

Hardee's (Winfield) 96

Huatulco Mexican Restaurant (Winfield) 86

Huddle House (Hamilton) 92

Jack's (Guin) 84

Jean and Ann's Tea Room (Hamilton) 98

La Estancia Mexican Restaurant (Hamilton) 89

Mac's Minit Mart (Hamilton) 87

Moore's Super Store (Hamilton) 92

Plaza BBQ (Guin) 93

River Road Citgo (Hamilton) 94

Subway (Hamilton) 97

Sugarbend Shell (Hamilton) 93

Webster's Deli (Guin) 98

Webster's Piggly Wiggly (Guin) 95

Yogi's Quick Stop No. 5 (Hamilton) 95
 

Sam LeMaster
Marion County Health Department
921-3118

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Flags Fly at Half-Staff In Honor of 9/11

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I have been researching humane solutions to helping feral or wild cats.

I found a solution to the problem at:

WEBSITE: www.alleycat.org
PHONE: 240-482-1980
7920 Norfolk Avenue, Suite 600
Bethesda, MD 20814-2525

The following information comes from their site:  Alleycat_Resources_care.

First, a feral cat is a cat who has lived his whole life with little or no human contact and is not socialized, or a stray cat who was lost or abandonded and has lived away from human contact long enough to revert to a wild state. Feral cats avoid human contact an cannot be touched by strangers.

Second, you might ask if stray cats and feral cats are the same.

No, stray and feral cats are not the same, and the terms “stray cat” and “feral cat” are not interchangeable. A stray cat is a domestic cat who was abandoned or strayed from home and became lost. Because a stray was once a companion animal, he can usually be resocialized and adopted. Adult feral cats usually cannot be tamed and are not suited to living indoors with people. They are most content living in their established territory. Feral kittens up to about 8 to 10 weeks, however, can often be tamed and adopted. See Alley Cat Allies’ resources on taming feral kittens at www.alleycat.org/resources.

Third, you might ask the question, how can I tell if a cat is stray or feral?

Observe the cat’s appearance and behavior. A stray cat is likely to approach you, although usually not close enough for you to touch him. If you put food down, a stray cat will likely start to eat it right away. A stray cat is often vocal, sometimes talking insistently, and may look disheveled, as if he is unaccustomed to dealing with conditions on the street. A stray cat may be seen at all hours of the day. A feral cat is silent, will not approach humans, and generally will be seen only from dusk to dawn, unless extraordinarily hungry and foraging for food. A feral cat has adapted to conditions and is likely to be well groomed. If you put food down for a feral cat, he will wait until you move away from the area before approaching the food.

And fourth you might say, I would like to find good homes for the feral cats I have been feeding. Is this possible? Generally, the answer is no. Adult feral cats usually cannot be socialized and will not adjust to living indoors. A great deal of time and effort can go into attempting to tame an adult feral cat, with no assurance of success.*

This time and effort is far better spent sterilizing feral cats to break the cycle of reproduction. See Alley Cat Allies’ Factsheet “Why Trap-Neuter-Return is the Solution to Feral Cat Overpopulation and Trap Neuter Adopt is Not.” Stray cats and kittens up to 8 to 10 weeks of age can usually be socialized and placed in homes.

I see Trap-Neuter-Return as a viable answer to cat over-population and an alternative to trapping and euthanizing or killing feral cats in our area. All that is left to do is find funds and volunteers to implement this program. I am working on that. There are four of these organizations in Alabama, they are:

Fairhope Cat Coalition - Fairhope   Fairhope Cats Coalition
Kayleigh's Haven–Scottsboro www.kayleighshaven.org/
Operation Cat Nap - Auburn Auburn - Operation Cat Nap
Save our Strays - Birmingham www.saveourstrays.org/ **

Here is a link to a video that will fully explain how TNR works. The video is about ten (10) minutes long and is well worth the time. (videos/the_humane_solution)

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My Story About Dr. Kerr

By Judy Webb Mays - 9/07

I've had a cough for a while so I decided Thursday, that I would see a doctor.

You see, I haven't wanted to go to the doctor since Dr. Kerr's accident, but this cough was wearing me down so I decided that I just couldn't wait on him to get better. After all who knew when he would be able to come back to the clinic?

Let me start just a little bit earlier in the day on Thursday, August 23, 2007.

My son, Wayne, and I met at OH! Bryan's around 12:00 Noon to go to the meeting of "Safe Place". It was the first meeting I had attended and it went well until I felt the need to cough. I fought it the best that I could but I still felt like everyone was looking at me. You all know what I mean!

Ok, I made it through without having to get up and leave the meeting. Wayne and I went back to the office and went to work. I pulled out the card I had been meaning to send Dr. Kerr and Sara since the week after their accident. I wrote a few lines on it and sealed it to mail. Realizing I didn't know his address, I looked him up on the Internet. Now, you tell me, isn't that amazing! You can look up just about anybody "on the Net"! Anyway, I wrote his name and address on the sealed envelope and looked for a stamp.

Meanwhile, I was still coughing and coughing. Wayne turned to me and said he was tired of hearing me cough so call and go see whoever was on duty at the clinic! "Okay, Okay", I said, "I'll call."

I called and spoke with Jeannie at the clinic. She said come on down and they would "work me in". I just happened to mention that I had been coughing since the last time I had seen Dr. Kerr and to my surprise, she said "He's here today, he'll get to you." If I hadn't been sitting down, I would have fallen down! I told Jeannie I'd be right down and turned to Wayne. I told him I was going to see Dr. Kerr......His jaw dropped open and his exact words were "NO WAY"! I told him "WAY!" That is just 'new age' talk for "Yes he is there!"

Long story short, Dr. John M. Kerr, II is in the clinic and only 2 months after he and his lovely wife, Sara, had a plane crash!! He looks good and is walkin' and talkin' great! I saw him and this story is just to tell him and everyone how glad I am to see him back!

Of course, he'll have to take it 'easy' for a while but he really is back and I'm so happy to see him! I know everyone else will be happy to see him as well!

Now, I have something else to tell you about Dr. Kerr.

Dr. John Kerr asked his pastor and congregation to allow him to speak about his plane crash, recovery process and some lessons he has learned since the accident. He wants to thank all the people for their concern and the out-pouring of prayers, love and good thoughts that everyone has given to him and Sara.

So, his church, the Hamilton Church of Christ, south of Hamilton, Alabama has given him their auditorium Sunday night, September 23, 2007, 7:00 p.m.

I will remind everyone as the time gets closer so everyone come back to the site and see what's happening.

By the way, if you know of anything goin' on in your City or our County, just email me at jmays@49countynews.net or judymays@yahoo.com.

Thanks for reading!

PART-TWO:

Dr. Kerr

By Judy Webb Mays

Dr. John Kerr, II asked his pastor and congregation to allow him to speak about his plane crash, recovery process and some lessons he has learned since the accident. He wants to thank all the people for their concern and the out-pouring of prayers, love and good thoughts that everyone has given to him and Sara.

So, his church, the Hamilton Church of Christ, south of Hamilton, Alabama has given him their auditorium Sunday night, September 23, 2007, 7:00 p.m.

Everyone is invited to come hear Dr. Kerr's story and if time permits, he will take brief questions. 

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9/22/07

Senator Roger Bedford Capitol Report  9/21/07

This past week, I traveled down to Montgomery and attend the first meeting of the Joint Interim Patriotic Immigration Commission. The Commission was established to conduct a fact-finding study on immigration issues and to issue a commission report outlining suggestions and proposals to address the issues of illegal and legal immigration in Alabama. While immigration, legal and illegal, is actually a federal issue, the U.S. Congress has shown, as with many other issues such as healthcare, not to be able to develop a cohesive plan to address it. Therefore, it has fallen to the states to try and address the issue. Our final report will be presented at the beginning of the 2008 regular session. As a member of this commission, it is my hope that we will be able to find practical solutions to the issue of immigration which affects all of us.

It is a pleasure to announce that the Lamar County Commission has been awarded a $30,805 grant from the Alabama Department of Transportation. The grant will be used to acquire land for the approach area for the Lamar County Airport as well as for the runway seal, coat and markings. I want to commend the Lamar County Commission on their hard work and efforts in this matter.

Congratulations goes out to Mayor Scott Boman of Sulligent as well as the city council on their hard work in obtaining an Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs grant in the amount of $400,000. The grant will be used to assist the City of Sulligent with sewer improvements on Wolf Road, Adams Street, Pennington Road, Jones Road, Johnny Street and Wadsworth Road. The project will benefit 144 persons who live on these streets of which more than 90% are of low and moderate income.

I also commend the Fayette County Commission on obtaining an ADECA grant in the amount of $400,000 to be used to extend water to County Road 53, County Road 49, Fords Valley Road, Pender Road and Mayfield Road within the Rehobeth Community. One hundred fifty-six individuals, with 78.46% being of low and moderate income, will benefit from this project

The City of Red Bay also received an ADECA grant in the amount of $399,500 to assist in providing adequate storm drainage, water and street improvements in the airport subdivision. Approximately 145 residents, 83.4% of which are low to moderate income, will be served by this. I appreciate Mayor Reid and the fine members of the Red Bay City Council’s hard work on this grant.

The City of Haleyville received $500,000 from ADECA to be used in a neighborhood improvement project in South Haleyville which includes improvement to deteriorated water and sewer systems, the demolition of dilapidated structures and the addition of playground equipment. Approximately 132 residents will be served by this of which 100% are low to moderate income.

Congratulations also goes out to the Town of Phil Campbell for being awarded an ADECA grant in the amount of $50,000 to assist with the installation of new lights for the ballfield complex.

I am pleased to see these grants be awarded in our senate district. I was glad to assist with these funds and I appreciate the hard work of our area local elected officials with these projects. All of these will assist with economic development and growth as well as improve the overall quality of life in these areas.

The Alabama Department of Transportation also announced that bids would be let on September 28 for the resurfacing and traffic striping of State Road 4, also known as Corridor X, from 0.3 mile west of the underpass of County Road 11 to the Buttahatchee River in Marion County. I am pleased to see this as it will insure safer travel on this roadway.

Two grants from ADECA were awarded this week to improve the safety of our roads. Northwest Shoals Community College was awarded $45,180 for the North Alabama Highway Safety Office Community Traffic Safety Program to develop and coordinate implementation of the ADECA/LETS Selective Traffic Enforcement Program to the 68 law enforcement jurisdictions in the 10 county region of Colbert, Cullman, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Morgan and Winston Counties. The goal of the project is to impact driver behavior and reduce roadway crashes, injuries and fatalities.

The other grant was in the amount of $28,080 to Shelton State Community College for the West Alabama Traffic Safety Program (WATSP) to establish and expand the ADECA/LETS program to the West Alabama region of Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marengo, Pickens, Perry, Sumter and Tuscaloosa Counties. I am pleased to see the awarding of these grants. It is important that we do all that we can to improve the safety of our roadways.

This past week also marked the passing of a beloved and talented native of Fayette, the Honorable Jimmy Lee Sudduth. Sudduth known for his folk art using a medium he called "sweet mud", a special mixture of clays and a sugary substance, died at the age of 97. His work has been featured throughout the world including an exhibit at the Smithsonian and on the Today Show on NBC. His work can also be seen at the Fayette Art Museum.

As you all know, Alabama has suffered through a rough drought most of the year. The US Drought Monitor shows that 92% of Alabama in severe conditions, 87 percent under extreme conditions and 73 percent in worst exceptional conditions, with record low stream flows and parched soil. Monitored wells show ground water levels falling and reservoirs at a historic low as well as water temperatures being higher than normal. The report also shows that we have had over 4,000 fires with more than 68,000 acres burnt. The National Weather Service shows that Alabama is in the worth 27 month rainfall totals since records began being kept in the late 1800s. The result of this, of course, beyond crop loss and the need to conserve are water supplies, is also felt on the trees. Between drought and infestations from beetles and other pest, there could be a substantial loss in the forestry market. Currently the National Weather Service says that we might get above rainfall averages for September through November but, expect it to go below average for the remainder of the year through May of 2008 when it is hope that the summer months will return to their normal pre-drought rainfall pattern. There is no doubt this is bleak news. It emphasis again the need for good stewardship of our resources especially water and we must do all that we can to see that it is not wasted or polluted.

It is good to see these cooler temperatures especially in the mornings and evening time. While 85 is still warm, it beat 100+ any time. I am looking forward to the deer hunting season and hope to get in some dove hunting as well.

High school and college football has gotten off to a great start and I wish all our area teams a fun and injury free season.

Please continue to contact me at the following addresses and numbers:

Roger H. Bedford, Jr.

Alabama State House

Suite 730, Montgomery, AL 36130

Phone:334-242-7862, Fax:334-353-4304

Roger Bedford & Associates, P.C.

P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653

Phone: 256-332-2880 Fax:256-332-7821

Email senbedford@aol.com website: www.rogerbedford.com

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Senator Roger Bedford Capitol Report Sept. 10, 2007 

It is important that we do all that we can to improve the relationship of children with their parents as the more stable the child’s home life the better they will do in the future.

Congratulations goes out to the Community Action Agency of Northwest Alabama, Inc. on receiving two grants this past week. The first grant is for $8,500 for a new parenting program for mothers. The funds will be used to work with incarcerated mothers as well as with mothers that are referred by the court or the Department of Human Resources. The goal is to explore the choices the choices of the mother that had a negative impact on the mother and child and to work with the mother on parenting skills so she can have a better relationship with her child and/or children. The program now operates out of Lauderdale and Colbert County but, hopes to expand to Franklin County soon.

The second grant is for $35,000 for fatherhood programs that work toward increasing non-custodial fathers involvement with their children and better communication skills between the fathers, mothers and children. The program operates out of Colbert, Lauderdale and Franklin County. Both grants were funded from the Children’s Trust Fund. This is a fund I helped to create during my first term in the Senate to help protect our children and promote family values.

Congratulations goes out to Shelton State Community College on receiving a $128,774 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. The grant will be used to administer traffic safety projects and grants in West Alabama.

I also want to congratulate Dr. Humphrey Lee of Northwest Shoals Community College on being awarded two grants from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. The first is in the amount of $227,031.73 for the continued implementation of the ADECA/LETS Highway Safety programs in the North Alabama region to include Colbert, Cullman, Franklin, Lawrence, Limestone, Lauderdale, Madison, Marion, Morgan and Winston Counties.

The second grant is for $363,000 to be used for the intensive tutoring of basic skills for GED attainment, guidance and assistance in preparation for postsecondary opportunities for out-of-school youths ages 16-21. The program services Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Lauderdale, Marion and Winston Counties.

I want to thank Congressman Robert Aderholt on working with local elected officials in acquiring a $100,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission for the City of Red Bay. The grant will be used to make improvements to the city’s sewer system. The city will provide a $25,000 match. I am pleased to see this much needed grant and I commend Mayor Reid and the City Council on their hard work in acquiring these funds which will greatly enhance the quality of life for the residents of Red Bay.

Hopefully, we will have an injury free football Friday. It is always an exciting time when high school and college football gears up. Also, hopefully, the fall cool weather will soon arrive.

Please continue to contact me at the following addresses and numbers:

Roger H. Bedford, Jr.

Alabama State House

Suite 730, Montgomery, AL 36130

Phone:334-242-7862, Fax:334-353-4304

Roger Bedford & Associates, P.C.

P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653

Phone: 256-332-2880 Fax:256-332-7821

Email senbedford@aol.com website: www.rogerbedford.com

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Marion County Restaurant Inspections Sept. 10 - 14, 2007

Cardinal Drive-In (Winfield) 90

Catering by LeAnne (Guin) Passed inspection: Initial permitting inspections do not have scores

Chris's Catfish (Hamilton) 98

Dollar General (Winfield) 98

Emerson Ice Plant (Hamilton) Passed inspection: Food processor inspections do not have scores

Guin Shell (Guin) 91

Jack's (Guin) 97

Kimberly's Restaurant (Guin) 91

Liberty Christian Academy (Guin) 97

Moore's Hwy 129 Shell (Winfield) 94

Oh! Bryan's (Hamilton) 94

Postell's Meat Market (Hamilton) 98

Teresa's Country Cafe (Hamilton) 90

Token No. 4 (Guin Chevron) 92

Token No. 6 (Winfield Chevron) 93

Wal Mart Deli/Bakery (Hamilton) 98

Wal Mart Supermarket (Hamilton) 97

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(Above:  The Hutsons & Family)

Being naturally curious I turned around from my trip to town. I went back and parked along the road behind the group who were taking turns hugging and smiling at each other and the young man in the uniform.

Long story short, I walked up and asked about the young man and asked if he was going away soon. He said, he was, but that he had just gotten married. He explained that he would be leaving for Korea in 18 days, September 23, 2007, and that he had just married the cute young lady beside him. Her name is Jennifer and his name is Cody Hutson. They are officially, Mr. and Mrs. Cody Hutson. He said he was from Tupelo, Mississippi and someone corrected him and said Amory, Mississippi but really that he was from Cotton Gin Hill, to be precise. It was all in fun but I got the idea.

Cody was such a nice handsome young man and his wife was equally cute and pretty. They were both beaming! I thought to myself, how brave they were to be getting married and then having to separate so soon for him to go half-way around the world to serve his country. I think I am not that brave! But I wished them well and took their picture and asked Jennifer to send me more information on them, their life, and his tour of duty. I will pass it along to you as I receive it.

If I have any of this information incorrect, I trust Jennifer or Cody to let me know and set me straight. It was so hot today, I could hardly stay out in the heat. It affects my thinking!

Well, you've got to blame it on something when you're as forgetful as me!

Anyway, I'm sure you all wish them well as we do and support Cody in his endeavor. We all wish him God's Speed and a safe return to his young bride.

49 County News.Net supports all of our troops both here and in foreign lands. They are the reason we live free and comfortable lives in the United States of America!

God Bless our Country and God Bless our Troops, each and every one!

Thank you for allowing me to tell you my story!

Judy Webb Mays
jmays@49countynews.net
Cell: 205-921-4403

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Inspection Ratings Sept.17 - 21, 2007

Burgers and More (Winfield) 91

Byrdnest Daycare (Hamilton) 94

Dinelli's (Hamilton) 96

Guthrie's (Winfield) 98

Hamilton Drive-In 91

Kountry Kitchen (Winfield) 93

Lunch Wagon (Hamilton) 94

Mandarin House (Winfield) 94

Subway (Winfield) 98  

Sam LeMaster
Marion County Health Department
921-3118

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Tue Oct 2, 9:56 PM ET COUPLE CELEBRATE 80th ANNIVERSARY

SCOTTSBORO, Ala. - A Scottsboro couple recently celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary, one of the longest marriages among living people when compared to reports in the 2007 Guinness Book of World Records.

Alonzo, 97, and Beulah Sims, 94, celebrated their anniversary a day early Sunday at the nursing home where they have lived since May 2002.

Without their families' approval, the two teens married in 1927, when he was working at a farm,
plowing fields with a mule and picking cotton for 50 cents a day.

The couple, who raised six children, credit their long lives to hard farm work and eating lots of vegetables. They moved frequently to find farm work, going from Paint Rock Valley near Garth to Atchley Bottom in Madison County and then to Woodville in the 1960s.

They said their eight decades of marriage have been virtually free of fussing.

"We've been too busy to fight," Beulah Sims said.

Alonzo Sims retired from farming in 1966 and did janitorial work at Redstone Arsenal until 1972.
They also operated service stations in Paint Rock and Woodville for a few years. Now, they spend
their time visiting other residents at the nursing home, listening to gospel music, and playing bingo.

"After all these years," he said, "I still enjoy being with her."

Information from:                The Huntsville Times

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Email From: Sarah Miller Safeplace & N.W.AL.  Safe Place Conference - Oct. 15, 2007

This is an accredited course to earn CEUs/APOST Credits Available For: Law Enforcement, Nurses, Attorneys, Social Workers & Counselors (Certificates of Attendance will be awarded to all participants).

Monday, October 15, 2007
Highland Park Baptist Church, Muscle Shoals, AL
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The Conference will include: 
Donna Montgomery,
*Darkness to Light, Childhood Sexual Abuse, Kathy Connolly, Rape Response,
Sexual Assault, Heath Haddock, Safeplace, Inc.,
Male Victims of Domestic Violence, Eileen Siegel,
Safeplace, Inc., Domestic Violence 101, Steve & Stacy Searcy, ACADV From the Crime Scene to the E.R., Gary Alverson, Former Colbert Co. D.A., Domestic Violence & the Law. 

Session Leaders:
Key Note: Lt. Mark Wynn, Wynn Consulting, Beyond the Obvious, Dual Assault
Victim and Officer Safety
Stalking and Counter-Stalking
$20 includes lunch provided by Lenny's Sub Shop and CEUs/APOST credits.
* Nurses must purchase a workbook for an additional $10 in order to receive CEUs

The email came From:

Sarah Miller
It was Sent: Mon 9/10/2007 3:06 PM To: Safeplace Employees;
safeplaceinc@gmail.com
Subject: October 15th Conference
Attached is a flyer for the Domestic Violence Conference on October 15th. Please spread the word!

Sarah Cabler
Prevention Program Assistant

Safeplace, Inc.
P.O. Box 1456
Florence, AL 35630
Business Line: (256) 767-3076
Crisis Line: (256) 767-6210/(800) 550-9215

Please make $20 check payable to Colbert DVRC and mail with registration to:
NWSCC,                          Attn: Peggy Franklin
P.O. Box 2545,             Muscle Shoals, AL 35662
Payment deadline for all registrations is October 8, 2007. Refunds will not be available after that date.
For more information call (256) 767-3076

Click here for Information Flyer

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September 28, 2007 Senator Roger Bedford Capitol Report

Just recently, Red Bay celebrated its 100 years of being incorporated as a city and on October 6, the Town of Hodges will do the same. This is a great accomplishment and I am proud of the fine leadership which Hodges has had over these 100 years. It has been my pleasure to assist Hodges with various grants and projects as the community has grown and developed.

This past week, I traveled to Hamilton and presented a $1,000 check to the Hackleburg High School Jr. High School cheerleaders and a $1,000 check to the Hackleburg High School varsity cheerleaders. I was also able to present $800 for desk and chairs for the 2nd grade classroom at Hamilton Elementary and $1,000 for the Hamilton High School cheerleaders.

I was also able to present checks in Franklin County including a $250 check to the Russellville High School power mentor program, $500 to Russellville Little League, $1,000 each to the Russellville High School junior and varsity cheerleaders, $500 to the Belgreen High School Pre-K program, $300 to the Franklin County Community Education program, $1,000 to the Tharptown PTO for playground equipment and $1,000 to Phil Campbell High School for an Elmo Board.

It was a pleasure for me to be able to assist all of these fine programs in Marion and Franklin County. I believe it is important that we support the academic and extracurricular activities at all of our area schools as we need to continually improve the educational opportunities available to our students. I am also a strong supporter of our various community programs as they help improve the overall quality of life for our citizens as well.

I am pleased to see that Congressman Aderholt was able to assist the Lamar County Commission with a $200,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant to assist with the construction of a rail spur to serve the county’s industrial park. The spur will benefit the new steel dust recycling facility in the industrial park. Congressman Aderholt also announced that the U.S. Senate had approved an $800,000 grant for the Lamar County Industrial Park for infrastructure needs. The appropriation request is now in the conference committee of the House of Representatives. It is my hope it will pass through quickly as these are much needed funds for Lamar County to assist them with economic growth and development.

While there has been rumors of a special session, so far, I have seen no problems that could not be dealt with in a few months time when the regular session starts. I will keep you posted.

Roger H. Bedford, Jr.

Alabama State House

Suite 730, Montgomery, AL 36130

Phone:334-242-7862, Fax:334-353-4304

Roger Bedford & Associates, P.C.

P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653

Phone:256-332-2880 Fax:256-332-7821

Email senbedford@aol.com website: www.rogerbedford.com

9-28-07

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October 2, 2007 October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
 

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Marion County Domestic Violence Task Force, as part of the awareness campaign, is kicking off its Supply Drive for Safeplace. Since the women and children often come to the shelter with nothing more than the clothes on their backs we try to make life a little easier for them through the supply drive.

Collection spots include: SuperValu in Hamilton, Carley’s Playground Day Care in Hamilton, Piggly Wiggly in Hackleburg, Winfield Public Library, and Jane Transportation in Guin as well as Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Winfield and Hamilton United Methodist Church. During the month you will notice purple ribbons on buildings, mailboxes, and light poles as a reminder that domestic violence is a serious problem in all communities large and small.

Between 1 million and 4 million women will experience serious assault by an intimate partner this year. Nearly 1 in 3 adult women experience at least one physical assault by a partner during adulthood. More women visit the emergency room as a result of domestic violence than from auto.  A woman is more likely to be assaulted or killed by an intimate partner than by a
stranger. Sadly, the children who grow up in abusive homes are more likely to become substance abusers, juvenile delinquents and abusers themselves when they become adults. Domestic violence is a crime and one that often goes unreported.

Safeplace offers domestic violence victims shelter as well as a wealth of programs to assist them in getting their lives and their children’s lives back together. Your donation of the items that victims need to make their daily lives seem a little more “normal” go a long way in the healing process! So join us this month as we seek to show these victims that the community really does care about them.

The Marion County Domestic Violence Task Force is a volunteer organization that works to educate Marion County residents about domestic violence and the programs and services available
to them through Safeplace. The Task Force meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at Oh!
Bryan’s Family Steakhouse in Hamilton.

They can be reached by calling Lynn Brown at:
205-412-8772 or by emailing brown_mcdvtf@yahoo.com

Marion County Domestic Violence Task force
400 Goldenwood Drive
Hamilton, AL 35570

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Upcoming Events For October 2007

Sat., October 20, 2007
10:00 AM until 2:00 PM
GRAVEL SPRINGS SCHOOL REUNION
Bring Finger Foods or Dessert
Bring Pictures & Memorabilia To Share!
Location: E.T. Sims Building (Hamilton Rec. Center) Hamilton, AL

Sat., Oct. 20, 2007
10:00 A.M. At The Union Hall
Rally For NTN
There will be Refreshments
You Can Bring Chips & Dip, Dessert or Drinks!
All Elected Officials are invited to attend.


Sat., Oct. 20, 2007
10:00 A.M. Until
New Life Festival
Music-Fun-Food-Games
New Life Fellowship
Hwy. 43 So.
1 1/2 Mi. From Winfield, AL


Thurs., Oct. 25, 2007
12:00 Noon At OH! Bryan's
Marion County Domestic Violence Task Force
Everyone Is Invited to Attend
So. Hwy. 17 Appx. 1 Mile from 78 Redlight
Hamilton, AL


Sat., Oct. 27, 2007
11:00 A.M.
Musgrove Family Reunion
Musgrove Chapel U.M.Church
Winfield, AL


Sat., Oct. 27, 2007
5:00 P.M. 'til
Halloween Carnival
Gun Raffle & Many Other Activities.
Fun, Food & Games For All Ages
Byrd Fire & Rescue Dept.

'Old Hwy. 17' So., Byrd Community

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Oct. 2007 UPCOMING LOCAL FESTIVALS

Just a quick reminder of three upcoming festivals at which we will have local and JBAF "alumni" artists participating. The fall weather is gorgeous, and it would be a wonderful time to get out and travel and enjoy these quality festivals. It would also be a great opportunity to support "our" artists and also solicit new artists for the 2008 JBAF.

October 20 & 21 - Alabama Gourd Festival - Cullman
 
October 20 & 21 - Kentuck - Northport

October 27 - Fall Fest - Hamilton

Enjoy!

Northwest Alabama Arts Council, Inc.
P.O. Box 694
Hamilton, AL 35570
(205) 921-9483
www.nwaarts.org
www.jbaf.org

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October 1, 2007 Winfield Public Library Recognizes October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The Winfield Public Library recognizes October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month 

The Winfield Public Library is joining the Marion County Domestic Violence Task Force in their supply drive for Safeplace. The library will be collecting non-perishable items needed for Safeplace domestic violence shelter and satellite office. Call or stop by the library for a list of items needed. You can drop off the list of items during library hours through the month of October. Please help us help the men, women, and children in the shelter, because home should be everyone's safe place!

For more information contact Regina Sperry 205-487-2484 or via email at:

wpl@dlis.net

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Newsletter From Winfield Public Library

Hello All!

Winfield - Here are a few things going on at the Winfield Public Library:

Our Monthly Story Hour will begin in September on the 13th at 3:30 PM.

'Story Time' is designed for ages 4 to 12 but anyone is welcome. Parents please remember children 10 and under must be with an adult 18 or older at all time while visiting the library.

In the event of rain, the book sale will be cancelled.

Warm Coats for Winter:
The Winfield Public Library will be a drop off for gently used coats that will be distributed by Love For The Homeless. If you would like to give your used coat to someone in need you may drop it in the box located in the library's foyer during regular library hours. You can reach Love for the Homeless at (205) 495-4387

Friends of the Winfield Public Library Sponsor Afghan Raffle:

As a fund-raising effort, the Friends of the Winfield Public Library are selling chances for a hand crocheted afghan. Tickets are $1 each and you choose between a Crimson/White or Orange/Blue afghan. Drawing will be October 15, 2007. You do not have to be present to win.

Purchase tickets at the main desk at Winfield Public Library.

For more information call 205-487-2484.

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Library Meeting StoryTime & Afghan Drawing Announced Winfield Public Library collects 70 warm coats.

Please announce the following:

1) Friends of the Winfield Public Library will meet at the library October 9, 12 noon.

2) StoryTime October 11, 3:30 pm

3) Afghan Drawing October 15, $1 per chance, You do not have to be present to win.

4) Teen Read Week Bookmark Contest:

The Winfield Public Library will celebrate the tenth annual
Teen Read Week from October 14th through 20th. It will join thousands of other libraries, schools, and bookstores across the country who are encouraging teens to celebrate this year's theme, "LOL @ your Library."

This years theme encourages teens to read humorous books and graphic novels just 'for the fun of it'. As part of the celebration, the Library will sponsor a Bookmark Contest, which will begin October 15th
and will conclude December 14, 2007. Teens ages 13 - 19 are invited to enter original bookmark designs. Entries must be submitted on official
entry forms by December 14, 2007 in order to qualify. Contest forms and rules are available at the Library's Main Desk. Winners will be announced on December 28, 2007. The winner's bookmark will be reproduced and made available to all patrons.

5) Winfield Public Library collects 70 warm coats:

Thanks to the generosity of people, the library was able to collect 70 coats for families in need. We would like to express our warm appreciation to everyone who donated to this drive.

We would also like to thank Crossroads Reporter, 97.7 WKXM & 49 County News.Net for helping usget the word around.


Thanks Regina Sperry
205-487-2484
www.dlis.net

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Senator Roger Bedford Capitol Report 10/12/2007

This past week was a busy one as I visited throughout the Senate District and Montgomery. I was able to attend the announcement in Franklin County regarding the Tennessee Valley Authority’s commitment of up to $35 million toward the repair of the Bear Creek Dam. As you may know, Bear Creek Dam has been experiencing problems almost since it completion in 1969. The problems, including leakage, were the result of the Dam being built over soil filled limestone caverns which have developed holes. TVA had debated for some time as to what steps to take for the problem including entirely removing the Dam. However, through a strong team effort at the local, state and federal levels TVA has agreed to do the repairs. The Bear Creek Dam is a vital part of economic development for Franklin County and the surrounding area as well as a source of recreation, flood control and for a water supply. It is hoped that the project can be completed by the summer of 2009. I want to thank Congressman Aderholt, Probate Judge Barry Moore, and other local officials for their commitment to this project and I am glad that TVA has reinforced its commitment to our area.

I was also able to travel to Hodges this past week and attend the 100th anniversary of the town’s incorporation. It was a great celebration and I appreciate Mayor Ed Crouch and the town council inviting me to join them in not only commemorating the rich history of Hodges but, also in looking ahead to an even better future for the citizens of Hodges.

I traveled to Colbert County as well and meet with the fine members of the Colbert County volunteer fire departments where I was able to present grant checks in the amount of $1,000 each to the departments including Barton, Brick-Hatton, Cherokee, Colbert Heights, Highway 247, Lagrange, Leighton, Littleville, Locust Shores, Spring Valley, White Oak, New Bethel, and Riverton Rose Trail volunteer fire departments. This was an additional grant for the regular amount provided to the departments through the Alabama Department of Forestry. It was a pleasure for me to be able to assist them because of the fine work which they do in protecting lives and property in our area.

In addition, I traveled down to Montgomery to attend the Alabama Manufactured Housing Commission meeting as well as meeting with other individuals and groups in Alabama. This is an important commission which addresses issues affecting the various parts of the manufactured housing industry.

It is a pleasure for me to announce that the Lawrence County Commission has been awarded a $61,000 from the Alabama Department of Economic to be used for the Lawrence County Drug Task Force. These funds are much needed to continue the fight against illegal drugs. While we would wish that these types of grants were not necessary, the reality is that illegal drug use and trafficking is part of daily life and we must do all that we can to provide our law enforcement agencies with the tools necessary to combat it.

While Alabama’s school system is often criticized for everything from its test scores to its rankings in the nation and its funding, we did receive good news recently from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which provides a national report card on schools, showing that Alabama 4th graders are number one in the nation in improving their reading skills. The NAEP report shows a gain of eight points in fourth grade reading which is almost triple the national average. This is good to see and show that investments by the state in education and especially in the accelerated reading programs throughout the state have paid off. We must continue to work to see that this gain is maintained and that we continue to improve are other test scores as well.

I have really enjoyed the cooler mornings which we have been experiencing. I look forward to the coming fall and the upcoming hunting season opportunities.

Please continue to contact me at the following addresses and numbers:

Roger H. Bedford, Jr.

Alabama State House

Suite 730, Montgomery, AL 36130

Phone:334-242-7862, Fax:334-353-4304

Roger Bedford & Associates, P.C.

P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653

Phone: 256-332-2880 Fax:256-332-7821

website: rogerbedford.com


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Senator Roger Bedford Capitol Report 10/18/2007

I was able to travel around the district again this past week. I traveled to Fayette County and met with the Fayette County Children’s Policy Council along with Judge Clary, Jason Coward, head of Fayette County DHR, Superintendent of Fayette County Schools Reba Anderson and others. We discussed the various issues facing the court systems, our young people and how best to deal with juvenile criminals. It was a good meeting and I was glad to be able to attend.
While in Fayette, I was able to present a $1,000 community grant check to the Fayette County High School Basketball program. It was good to see Coach Dixon again. He is doing an excellent job with the program and I hope that all the members of the basketball program have an enjoyable and safe season ahead.
I met with Mayor Phil Segraves of Guin and others to discuss various projects needed in Guin as well as economic development ideas. I appreciate Mayor Segraves hard work and dedication to the citizens of Guin.
I later traveled back to Guin to discuss the Magnn Project at the First State Bank with a great group of local leaders. It is so encouraging to see our local leaders in a multi county area pulling together for new jobs. I appreciate all of those who attended for coming and discussing this important project.
I was also able to meet with Mayor Johnny Brown, Chad Sears of the Russellville Park and Recreation Department, Coach Jimmy Rea of Russellville High School and Rock Chambless about the much needed improvements to the tennis courts in Russellville.
I had the privilege to speak to the Alabama Association for Education and Rehabilitation of Blind and Visually Impaired awards luncheon in Huntsville. I appreciate being invited to deliver the keynote speech. I am proud of the programs which we have for the blind and visually impaired in Alabama as well as for the deaf and I have worked hard on maintaining funding for these important programs that work to help people cope and deal with the challenges they encounter due to their lack of vision and/or hearing.
As many of you know, the regular legislative session will begin on February 5, 2008. As we begin to prepare for this, I have requested legislation to be drafted and prepared for introduction that will add to the list of Schedule I controlled substance list. This substance is called salvia divinorum, a hallucinogen, which has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medicinal use in the United States. Salvia is a member of the mint family which is native in the Sierra Mazateca of Oaxaca, Mexico. It is usually either smoked or chewed with the hallucinogenic effect lasting between 10 minutes to an hour and a half. While not illegal in most states, there are a growing number of concerns about the use of salvia and discussions about how best to legislate it.
After reviewing information on salvia, however, Representative Johnny Morrow and I, with assistance from Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing, decided to move forward with drafting this legislation which we announced this past week at a press conference at the Franklin County Courthouse. It is important that we try and address matters such as these before they get out of hand if at all possible. It is my hope that we can get this bill introduced and passed in the upcoming session before salvia use becomes widespread and a crisis situation.
Congratulations goes out to the Marion County Commission on receiving a grant in the amount of $133,500 from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. The monies will be used to implement a multi-jurisdictional drug task force for Marion County. The Task Force will coordinate drug investigations and be responsible for drug enforcement in Marion County.
I hope all of you have been enjoying the college and high school football seasons. It has been good to see so many of our area teams do so well. It is hard to believe that the regular season is more than half way through. I wanted to wish the best to all our teams as they complete the regular season and hopefully, for many, prepare for the playoffs.
Please continue to contact me at the following addresses and numbers:
Roger H. Bedford, Jr.
Alabama State House
Suite 730, Montgomery, AL 36130
Phone:334-242-7862, Fax:334-353-4304
Roger Bedford & Associates, P.C.
P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653
Phone: 256-332-2880 Fax:256-332-7821
website: rogerbedford.com

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Senator Roger Bedford Capitol Report 10/26/2007

I certainly agree that the Alabama Department of Transportation should look at four-laning the remaining section of the highway between Hackleburg and Hamilton. This has been a very dangerous road for many years. There have been many unfortunate wrecks and even worse, loss of life due to the design of the road and bridge particularly at the Northport Creek between Hackleburg and Hamilton. While it would be good to replace the bridge with a much safer approach, I believe the best long term solution to help with both economic development and safety would be to four-lane that section between Hamilton and Hackleburg. I certainly support this project.
I had the privilege this week to present checks to the fine volunteer fire departments of Lamar and Marion County. The checks were issued from the Alabama Forestry Commission and were for $1,000 each. The monies will be used to assist the departments with equipment needs. I am very proud of all of our volunteer fire departments and rescue squads whose members give of their time and energies to protect their fellow citizens property and lives. You may rest assured of my continued support of their efforts.
Bids will be open November 2 for an Alabama Department of Transportation project in Marion County which involves the installation of lighting for the State Road 4, Corridor X, future I-22, interchange lighting at State Road 129. This is an important project that will help with the safety of this area.
I was pleased to see the rain this past week which brought some much needed relief for the area as well as much cooler temperatures letting us know that fall had arrived. It has been sad to see the devastation wrecked by the many fires in California. I pray the Lord will send them relief soon.
With gas prices rising and natural gas prices expected to rise in many areas, I guess it comes as no surprise to learn that BP Oil was fined and has agreed to pay more than $373 million in settlements for price gouging and other charges this past week including charges to conspire to fix propane prices in 2003 and 2004. In addition, they plead guilty to a felony for its role in a 2005 explosion at its Texas City refinery which killed 15 employees and injured 170 more. It is sad to know that they deliberately set out to overcharge consumers and that they were so negligent with the safety of their employees. It is hoped that the government will remain diligent in its efforts to watch out for consumers interest and in seeing that large companies do not take unfair advantage of consumer needs such as gas, food, etc.
It is hard to believe that we will soon be starting the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays.
I have already been working on legislation to be introduced when we go in on February 5. I assure you that I will continue to work hard to see that the needs of our senate district are met and that we get our fair share of tax dollars.
Please continue to contact me at the following addresses and numbers:
Roger H. Bedford, Jr.
Alabama State House
Suite 730, Montgomery, AL 36130
Phone:334-242-7862, Fax:334-353-4304
Roger Bedford & Associates, P.C.
P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653
Phone: 256-332-2880 Fax:256-332-7821
website: www.rogerbedford.com
10-26-07

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Food Inspection Ratings Oct 15-19, 2007
From: Sam LeMaster
Date: Oct 15-19 2007

Food Inspection ratings Oct 15-19, 2007

Galbreath's Country Buffet (Hamilton) 85

Lakeside BBQ (Brilliant) 97

McCracken's (Hamilton) 92

Midway Restaurant (Haleyville) 96

Whitehouse Restaurant (Haleyville) 83

Hardee's (Hamilton) 94

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Marion County Restaurant Inspection Ratings 11/05/07 -11/09/07
From: Sam LeMaster
Date: 11/05/07 -11/09/07

Inspection Ratings

Coop's Bears Den (Bear Creek) 96

Flatwoods Flea Market Snack Bar (Winfield) 97

Jack's (Winfield) 93

Leonelli's Coffee Buzz (Hamilton) Passed inspection for new permit

Phillips High Lunchroom (Bear Creek) 90

SOMETHING INTERESTING!

Judy Webb Mays

I was sent an article by one of our readers who had found in while 'surfing the net'. It was by Anne Kristoff who writes for Budget Travel.com. and titled ROAD TRIP - 10 Coolest Small Towns, Ala.

She had something interesting to say about a small town in North Alabama. I thought you might like to read it so to keep from getting in trouble with plagiarism, here is the link. Click Here.

There might be a time limit on this article so email me at jmays@49countynews.net, if you miss it, and I will send it to you.

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Local, Missy Miles, Received Ribbons At AL Gourd Festival In Cullman

We received news back from the Alabama Gourd Festival which was held this past weekend in Cullman that "one of our own" Missy Miles received multiple blue, red, and white ribbons for her pieces of work. In addition, she was also was published in the Cullman paper in the Sunday edition, front page with one of her "hippy" mushrooms.

Missy passed along her gratitude of how much it meant to her to have so many of her friends and family come to the show and be so supportive.

The arts council will be in contact with the local media to help publicize her accomplishments and to also promote her participation in the upcoming JBAF.

Congratulations to Missy!

Northwest Alabama
Arts Council, Inc.
P.O. Box 694
Hamilton, AL 35570
(205) 921-9483
www.nwaarts.org
www.jbaf.org

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EB INFORMATION

By

Valerie Jones

HAMILTON - My name is Valerie Jones and I would like to tell you about a very rare genetic disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa. But first let me tell you how I came to know about this disease and why it is so important to me.

In Feb I gave birth to my 3rd child. After a scheduled c-section I expected to stay in the hospital a couple days and then take my normal healthy child home just like I had done twice before. However when the doctors delivered my daughter they noticed that she was missing skin from her legs and feet. Without saying anything to me or my husband they whisked her off to the nursery. I thought something was strange since my husband was going to get to carry her there but I didn’t give it much thought. At that time I was given some medicine and things are a little fuzzy for a while. I don’t remember details but I know that someone came and talked to me and told me that my daughter had a disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa. I had never heard of it and to say the least was surprised. I was told that she would be transported to Birmingham. I finally got to see her several hours later just before the transport team left with her. I didn’t get to hold her. My husband followed her to Princeton Hospital and stayed with her. No one, even the nurses, knew much about the disease so my mother-in-law got on the internet and got all the information she could find and brought it to me. The nurses even asked for a copy of it.

I left the hospital 2 days later and a day after that I was taken to Birmingham to be with my husband and daughter. She was in the NICU. None of the nurses there had really had any experience with this disease. One or two had seen it but it was a very long time ago. Fortunately there was a nurse in another part of the hospital that had a daughter with the same disease that came and taught us how to care for our daughter. After 17 days we were allowed to bring her home. The last 7 months have been a learning process for our whole family. Still most of the information that I have is from the internet and a wonderful online community of EB families all over the world.

So now you are wondering what this disease is. EB is a genetic skin disease that causes blistering and tearing of the skin. It affects about 1 in 50,000 and affects both sexes and all racial groups equally. This happens because the connecting proteins in the skin are missing or incorrect.

There are several subtypes of this disease. The 3 main ones are Simplex, Junctional and Dystrophic. I’ll try to explain without too much medical jargon. There are 3 main layers of skin, the epidermis, the lamina lucida and the dermis. The 2 forms of EB Simplex affect the upper and lower epidermis which is the top layer of your skin. Junctional affects the lamina lucida or middle layer of skin and dystrophic affects the dermis or lower layer of skin. Simplex and one form of dystrophic are genetically dominant meaning that one parent also has the disease. Junctional and Recessive Dystrophic EB are genetically recessive meaning that both parents carry the gene for the disease but usually do not have the disease themselves.

It is one of these forms that my daughter has. This doesn’t just affect the skin on the outside of the body. Any area that has epidermal cells can be affected. This means all mucus membranes and internal organs. There are many complications with this. One is malnutrition and the anemia that it causes. Some children have to have feeding tubes because they can’t eat due to wounds in their mouth and throat. Another common problem is webbing of the hands and feet and contractures which is where the hands close into a fist. Surgery can be done but is rarely effective. Children with this disease are called butterflies because their skin is as fragile as a butterfly’s wing.

One big thing to remember is that it is not contagious.

Ok so now you know a little about the disease and you are probably wondering what does this mean to me. EB is a very medically intensive disease. Bandages have to be changed daily and new wounds have to be dressed. Blisters have to be drained to keep them from getting larger. Supplies are very expensive and many times insurance won’t pay for them. So far we have been fortunate that ours does. Last month the supply order that I placed cost over $5000. This is an every month thing. That’s just for now while my daughter is small and very mild in the disease. She could get worse and many children are. Like I mentioned before there is the possibility of a feeding tube and other surgeries. Also at this time this is considered a terminal illness. Lifespan is rarely past the 20’s. Infection is a big concern. At this time there is no cure. The only thing that can be done is to treat the wounds and secondary issues.

All that leads to this. Last December, Congress signed into law National EB Awareness Week. It is the last week of October. This year is the first one and there are lots of events planned for that week. There is a relay that will cross the US from New York to California. Since I can’t attend that I am trying to raise awareness in our area.

There was once a time when no one knew what breast cancer was. Now you hear the words and automatically know what is happening. I hope one day the same is true for EB. However beyond that I hope that there is soon a cure. Research is being done all over the world. Right now at Stanford there is a trial in the works for a cure. They are still waiting on FDA approval to begin testing on humans. As you know medical research is very expensive. This research is relying very heavily on public donations. People like you who feel that this is an important cause. Children and adults are suffering in pain every day and many of them die from this disease. This doesn’t have to be. There can be a cure. Knowledge is power. The more you know the more you can tell others. I look for the day when the EB Walk-a-Mile-in-My-Shoes Relay is a big as the Relay for Life. Please learn all you can about this disease. Now that you know about us this is something that affects you too. We are all a community. Tell everyone you know about this disease.

Funds for research are a big deal. But there are also the people I mentioned who either don’t have insurance or whose insurance won’t pay for supplies. There is an organization called Debra or Dystrophic EB Research Association. This organization is the only national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting research for treatment and a cure and providing information and support for families dealing with EB. Debra has a wound care clearing house that sends donated supplies to families in need. They also give financial support for those with unreimbursed medical costs. They are also the largest source of EB information available. Please check out their website at debra.org.
Another organization is the EBMRF or EB medical research foundation. Its sole purpose is to raise money for research to find treatments and ultimately a cure for EB. Their website is ebkids.org.

Please also check out the ebrelay.org site for information on this year’s relay and rally. Also you may come to South Hamilton Baptist Church on October 28th at 6 pm to hear a presentation on this. I hope you all will try to understand this disease and what it does to families.

Knowledge is power!

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Senator Roger Bedford Capitol Report 11/02/07

The cost of the War on Terror is not something felt just elsewhere but, here at home in our great State. It is felt by all of our citizens but, especially the family members of those who are serving in harm’s way and by those whose military family member has made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us. On November 6, Governor Riley and others will come together to dedicate a memorial for all of those who have fallen while defending us in the War on Terror. They will come together to remember their valor, their sacrifices and their commitment to fight for freedom and for the protection of all of us who cannot fight. Those who serve in the military are often under appreciated and I want to thank all of them and their families for their service and dedication. It is my hope that we can soon end this conflict and bring our fine men and women home so that they can be with their loved ones and friends and rest from their labors. I hope all of you will take the time to remember all of our military persons, both past and present, as we draw close to Veterans Day as well as the holiday season. They sacrifice much so that we can enjoy our freedoms and go home every night to our families.

The U.S. Department of Commerce is going to be hosting a free trade agreement briefing this coming week to discuss three pending agreements with Colombia, Panama and Peru and to discuss ways Alabama businesses can maximize export opportunities as well as build new trade and investment relationships. The seminars will be held November 6 in Huntsville, November 7 in Birmingham and November 8 in Mobile. To learn more about the seminars and to register please call 334-242-0450.

This past week, it was announced that a new program would be started in our area. The program is called Project Community and is a model educational program focusing on natural resources and providing Alabama’s teachers with special training and instructional materials to support state academic standards and requirements in science, particularly, the natural sciences. The objective of the project is to improve our students understanding of natural resources and natural systems especially in light of the changing, global environment while promoting the area of science and boosting students’ test scores. The project is sponsored and funded by grant support from the Alabama Association of Conservation Districts in cooperation with the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee and will be administered jointly by Discovering Alabama and the Alabama Museum of Natural History. More information on this project can be gotten by calling Beth Stevens, Coordinator of the Project at 205-348-9077.

I had the pleasure to travel down to Haleyville this past week and present some grant checks for Haleyville High School, one for $500 for classroom supply needs and $300 for the JAG program. I also was able to present $1,000 to the Haleyville School System for the teacher in-service drawing held each year to assist teachers with extra school room expenses and $495 for the Haleyville girls softball program.

While in Haleyville, I was able to tour the Haleyville Technical Center. I enjoyed seeing the improvements to the facility. It has been my pleasure to assist them with funding in the past and I appreciate the faculty including Mr. Batchelor and Mr. Warren allowing me to visit with them.

I was also able to meet with Commissioner Hayes, Representative Millican, Stan Watson and others to discuss important projects for Haleyville.

It is a pleasure to announce that our senate district has been awarded grants from the Alabama Department of Homeland Security to assist with the purchase of specialized terrorism related equipment, training and exercises. The following grants were awarded:


Colbert County: $44,919.25

Fayette County: $47,919.25

Franklin County: $34,919.25

Lamar County: $34,919.25

Marion County: $34,919.25

Winston County: $34,919.25

Lawrence County: $45,000.00

Please continue to contact me at the following addresses and numbers:

Roger H. Bedford, Jr.

Alabama State House

Suite 730, Montgomery, AL 36130

Phone:334-242-7862, Fax:334-353-4304

Roger Bedford & Associates, P.C.

P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653

Phone: 256-332-2880 Fax:256-332-7821

Email senbedford@aol.com website: www.rogerbedford.com

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Senator Roger Bedford Capitol Report 11/16/07

This past week, we had the opportunity to celebrate Veterans Day honoring so many of our fine veterans. I hope that all of you had an opportunity to participate in the many events going on in our senate district and state as a whole. We must always remember to pay tribute to our veterans who have sacrificed so much to protect our freedoms. We all know that freedom is not free and thanks to the sacrifice and personal hardships endured by our veterans and their families, America is still free.

We certainly had a bonanza this past week of grants announced throughout our senate district. I always enjoy working hard in Montgomery to see that we get our fair share and then some if we can. The following CDBG we were able to obtain through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs:

- Town of Cherokee, $250,000
This is for the construction of a multipurpose center for the citizens of Cherokee.
This is a wonderful project which I have been working on for many months with Mayor Willis.

- Winston County Commission, $250,000
This is for the construction and paving of 11 dirt/gravel roads in Winston County. The roads chosen were Winston Co.
Mayor moulton small part support and sheffield bumps against our district
waymon fields help w/ industrial recruitment
remember as kid playing on light and use canteen, etc.
We certainly want to congratulate all our local officials on their hard work in helping obtain these grants which I fully support.

Please continue to contact me at the following addresses and numbers:

Roger H. Bedford, Jr.

Alabama State House

Suite 730, Montgomery, AL 36130

Phone:334-242-7862, Fax:334-353-4304

Roger Bedford & Associates, P.C.

P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653

Phone: 256-332-2880 Fax:256-332-7821

Email senbedford@aol.com website: www.rogerbedford.com

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Senator Roger Bedford Capitol Report November 12, 2007

Thanksgiving was started as a day to gather with our friends and loved ones to give thanks to our good Lord for our many blessings. Now, it seems that Thanksgiving is all about the food, who is going to prepare what dish, who will be at the meal and where it will be held. It is difficult to see our blessings sometimes especially recently as we seem to be bombarded with negative stories about our economy, our environment and the war as well as other troubles throughout the world. However, a moment’s reflection can be all it takes to show us that we do have many wonderful blessings in this nation including our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech and the many others that so many in the world do not have. We also tend to forget that there are those who do not have the resources to have a "traditional" meal with all the trimmings. To some, just making day to day expenses is hard and there is no extra. I want to thank all the community organizations and churches who worked to help address this issue not only during the holidays but, on a daily basis.
I hope that all of you had an opportunity to gather with friends and family and I hope that you took time to remember and pray for the fine men and women of our armed forces who are serving overseas and did not get that opportunity. While they no doubt miss their families on a daily basis, the holiday season is an especially difficult time as many will not even get to see their families at Christmas either.
Lamar County received good news this past week with the announcement from the Alabama Department of Transportation that they will be opening bids on December 7 for three projects. The first will be for work on the bridge and approaches on County Road 31 at Watson Creek. The second is for the bridge replacement on County Road 122 at the Mud Creek Tributary and the third is for safety improvements on State Road 17 north of County Road 8 south of Detroit. I am pleased to see these important projects being done as they not only help improve the safety of our roads but, improve economic growth opportunities.
Congratulations also goes out to the Colbert County Commission on receiving a $1,418,040 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to assist in the location of National Alabama Corporation by providing funds for sewer improvements. The company is constructing a new manufacturing plant in the Barton Riverfront Industrial Park. The company will create 850 new jobs of which at least 51% will be for low and moderate income persons.
I also had the pleasure of presenting two $2,500 grants to the Fayette County Children’s Policy Council to assist with the Vista program as well as other equipment needs. I am proud of all of our area Children’s Policy Councils who work hard to improve the quality of life and the justice system for our young people.
The regular session in February is getting closer. Many of you have already contacted me regarding proposed legislation for this session and I appreciate this greatly as it is important that I know of your concerns as well as thoughts on how to improve the quality of life in Alabama.

Please continue to contact me at the following addresses and numbers:

Roger H. Bedford, Jr.

Alabama State House

Suite 730, Montgomery, AL 36130

Phone:334-242-7862, Fax:334-353-4304

Roger Bedford & Associates, P.C.

P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653

Phone: 256-332-2880 Fax:256-332-7821

Email senbedford@aol.com website: www.rogerbedford.com

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Senator Roger Bedford Capitol Report December 12, 2007

As I am writing this, there are only thirteen days until Christmas. It is hard to believe that 2007 is almost over. I hope that it has been a good year for most of you. We have all had to suffer from lack of rain and increased fuel costs but, it is my hope that 2008 will see more rain for our State as well as the entire Southeastern region and that we can continue to explore alternative fuel sources that will reduce our dependency on foreign oil as well as reduce the overall cost of fuel.

I had the pleasure to travel to Fayette this past week and present $1,000 each to the volunteer fire departments of Fayette County. I appreciate the hard work and dedication of all the members of not only the Fayette County Volunteer Fire Departments but, all the departments throughout the State.

I was also able to present $1,000 to the Fayette Historical Society to assist with various project needs.

I was also able to travel to Winfield this past week for an industrial announcement by Winfield Rubber Company. The company is planning to expand its existing plant with an investment of $3.5 million which is expect to create some 20 new jobs. I am pleased to see this growth in our area and I appreciate their commitment to the City of Winfield.

I am pleased to announce that the Alabama Department of Transportation’s Board of Directors of Industrial Access Road and Bridge Corporation met and approved $200,000 to construct turn lanes and acceleration/deceleration lanes along High way 96 in Lamar County to benefit Steel Dust Recycling.

The Board also approved $360,000 for the City of Vernon to fund improvements to 12th Street including widening, drainage improvements and resurfacing of the road to accommodate industrial traffic to Omni International and Southland Health Services.

Congratulations goes out to the local officials of Lamar County and the City of Vernon for their efforts in obtaining these grants.

This past week, the Governor’s Council on Pre-K Policy released its report on Alabama’s Voluntary Pre-K Initiative. The Council was established in September 2007 and its goal was to develop an expansion plan for Alabama’s existing Pre-K program. The goal is provide access to quality Pre-K educational programs for all four years olds in the State. Currently Alabama and North Carolina are the only states that have met all 10 benchmarks for their Pre-K Program.

Pre-K is a chance to prepare children for further educational opportunities as well as reduce the drop out rates of students, lower crime rates and reduce welfare rolls. It is my hope that we can get the Pre-K program established throughout Alabama for the benefit of our children.

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Senator Roger Bedford Capital Report 12/21/07

I hope that all of you had a blessed and wonderful Christmas season and that 2008 will be a happy, healthy and prosperous year for you. 2007 brought us many challenges including a record drought not only in Alabama but, throughout the southeast. We saw ups and downs in the stock market and in the Middle East as well as increases in oil and other prices. However, we saw many good things as well especially in our senate district including the 2.8 million in bond money which helped with many industrial projects in the area as well as many ADECA grants which went to help with the various needs of our district.

It is my hope that we will have an even better year for grants in 2008! We will be going into the regular session on February 5 and will be doing budget hearings in mid January. We have many important issues facing us including insurance for children including medicaid funding. It is important that our children receive adequate healthcare especially preventive medical treatments such as vaccines. You may rest assured that I will do all that I can to see that our citizens receive this much needed care.

Christmas came early for several of our area municipalities this year with the awarding of grants from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. The first one was for the Town of Littleville, the Town of Brilliant and the City of Winfield each received a grant in the amount of $25,000 to assist with the purchase of a patrol vehicle for their fine police departments. The City of Red Bay also received a $25,000 grant to be used to purchase upgraded equipment for the police department. Congratulations also goes out to the Town of Arley who received $25,000 from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs for police safety improvements and to the Town of Double Springs for receiving $25,000 to purchase cameras for police vehicles. It is great to see our local law enforcement agencies get these much needed grants so that they can improve the quality of services which they provide. I hope all of you remember our fine law enforcement community especially during the holiday seasons. I appreciate all that they do to protect our lives and property.

It was a pleasure for me to be able to present some grant checks this week in Franklin County to the Franklin County Community Education Program for $250, Faith Mission Outreach for $500, Franklin County Department of Human Resources for $250 and $250 for West Elementary to assist those in need during the holiday season.

In conclusion, let me wish you all the best and I hope that all of you will continue to contact me in 2008 about issues of concern to your families and you. God Bless.

website: www.rogerbedford.com

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Subject: Inspections for Oct. 29 - Nov. 01, 2007
From: SLeMaster@adph.state.al.us
Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2007 16:55:50 -0500


Hamilton Elementary Lunchroom 97

Hamilton High Lunchroom 96

Huddle House (Hamilton) 92

Moore's Super Store (Hamilton) 92

River Road Citgo (Hamilton) 94

Whitehouse Cafe (Haleyville) Passed inspection for new permit

Note: These "passed inspection" statements refer to inspections when a rating is not assessed because such inspections are for newly opened establishments that are not yet operating.

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Subject: Inspection ratings for Oct 22-26, 2007
From: SLeMaster@adph.state.al.us
Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2007 15:54:23 -0500


Asian Wok (Hamilton) 85

China One (Hamilton) 90

Eastside Grill (Hamilton) 96

Hamilton Senior Center (Hamilton Rec Center) 100

La Estancia (Hamilton) 91

Mac's Minit Mart (Hamilton) 85

Parker's BBQ (Hamilton) 97

Piggly Wiggly (Hamilton) 96

Piggly Wiggly Deli (Hamilton) 86

Subway (Hamilton) 98

Sugar Bend Shell (Hamilton) 98

SuperValu Foods (Hamilton) 89

Note: Both the Wal Mart supermarket and deli/bakery of Winfield were left off last week's list. Both these passed inspection for their permits.

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Food Inspection Ratings 11/12/07 -11/16/07
From: SLeMaster@adph.state.al.us
Date: 11/12/07 -11/16/07

Inspection Ratings

Bassville Restaurant (Haleyville) 94

B&B Deli (Winfield) 94

Car Lot BBQ (Winfield) 93

Harper's Junction (Hamilton) 87

Ivie's Supermarket (Winfield) 91

Northwest Medical Center Cafeteria (Winfield) 98

Plantation Steak House (Guin) 96

Sparerib BBQ (Winfield) 87

Yampertown Steak and Seafood (Winfield) 96

Yogi's Quick Stop (Hamilton) 90

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Food Inspection Ratings for Dec 3-7, 2007
From: SLeMaster@adph.state.al.us
Date: 12/03/07 -12/07/07

Inspection Ratings

Burgers and More II (Winfield) 87

Buttahatchee BBQ (Hamilton) 88

Catering by LeAnne (Guin) 97

Chris's Catfish (Hamilton) 98

Frosty Front (Guin) 94

Hardee's (Winfield) 90

Pizza Hut (Hamilton) 83

Plaza BBQ (Guin) 92

Token No. 4 (Guin Chevron) 94

Wal Mart Deli/Bakery (Winfield) 95

Wal Mart Supermarket (Winfield) 100

Webster's Deli (Guin Piggly Wiggly) 96

Webster's Piggly Wiggly (Guin) 87

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Food Inspection Ratings Date: 12/10/07 -12/14/07
From: Sam LeMaster


Clifty Creek (Hamilton) 95

Dinelli's Pizza (Hamilton) 95

Hamilton Drive-In (Hamilton) 90

Jean and Ann's Tea Room (Hamilton) 94

KFC (Hamilton) 82

Lunch Wagon (Hamilton) 91

Marion Regional Medical Center (Hamilton) 96

Oh! Bryan's (Hamilton) 93

Panther Mart (Hackleburg) 90

Piggly Wiggly (Hackleburg) 86

Tersa's Country Cafe (Hamilton) 88

Winfield Elementary Lunchroom 99

Winfield High School Lunchroom 94

Winfield Middle School Lunchroom 100

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1) Reading With Santa at the Winfield Public Library Saturday December 8, 2007 9am - 1pm.

You may also get pictures with Santa for $5 a picture or a full package for $18. Pictures will be available for pick up by Wednesday December 12th @ 12pm.
 

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Lest We Forget!

"Attack at Pearl Harbor, 1941," EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (1997).

In Honor of Pearl Harbor, HI

Although we ran the story below a while back on "All Things Scottish" by John Brownlee, I thought it would be appropriate to run it today, December 7, 2007 in honor of all the casualties and survivors of this day in history!  It is the 67th anniversary of the attack. 

We tend to put it so far back in our memory that we forget to think there are any survivors of this terrible tragedy.  This is the story of meeting one of those who survived.

You can click on the picture above and read about a survivors recollections of the day.  It was not Mr. Sasse's but could have been...

Story by John Brownlee - HE'S BACK! With a story about a Pearl Harbor Survivor...

When I arrived back into Tupelo on 3rd September this year (2007) I was accompanied on the plane by a Pearl Harbor survivor. He is an elderly gentleman of 95 now and was in a wheelchair through the airport although able to negotiate the aisle on the aircraft. The stewardess, Deedee, was good enough to announce his presence to us all.

He was met at the airport by a young man (about my age, 50ish, sorry I did not get his name) who said Clarence had adopted him. I gather from my fairly short conversation that we had a nice chap who had done his duty for his country during the war but also after it, the stewardess said he served for 40 years. Judy who picked me up at the airport was given permission to take a photograph of Mr. Sasse before he headed off.

Clarence Sasse Chief petty officer at the time of the Pearl Harbour attack and I believe he described his duty then as " leading turret captain" he was on board USS Phelps DD360. See citation below:

Click Here to read more about C.P.O., Clarence Sasse.

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HMS art show now Monday! NWAAC meeting also Monday!

We have just been informed that HMS Principal Steven Deavours made a last-minute change to the date of the HMS Art in the Middle program from Tuesday, December 18 to Monday, December 17 due to a conflict with testing schedules. The times remain the same, 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Hamilton Middle School. Please attend if at all possible.

We would also like to thank Belinda McRae and the Journal Record for the wonderful half-page picture and write-up on the upcoming program and recognition of the students, NWAAC, and State Council on the Arts.

Also, a reminder that the Northwest Alabama Arts Council will hold its regularly-scheduled meeting Monday, December 17, 5:30 p.m., Hamilton City Hall. We look forward to seeing you there!


Northwest Alabama Arts Council, Inc.
P.O. Box 694
Hamilton, AL 35570
(205) 921-9483
www.nwaarts.org
www.jbaf.org

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ANDY MILLER SENDS US CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM IRAQ

Marla & Ed Minter sent 49 County News.Net this link for everyone who knows their son, Andy Miller.  Andy sends his personal Holiday Greetings via Media Player and the Internet.  Andy is pictured above with his brother, Greg and their grandfather, Rex Avery, who just recently passed away.  This photo was taken in July 2007.

Andy's Family Readiness Group from the 101st Airborne has just posted online a short video of Andy's Christmas greeting. If you would like to see and hear Andy, here's the link:

CLICK HERE

Simply scroll down and and you will see his name and hometown (233519. Miller, Andrew PFC Hamilton Army Active Iraq) , and click on the media player. This is not a restricted website so you can share it with others.

In case the link does not work, go to www.dvidshub.net and click on "Holiday Greetings" and then select the State of Alabama on the map. Then scroll down to his name and click on the media player.

We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Marla & Ed

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Santa At Sports Gallery!

Merry Christmas! & A Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year From

Sports Gallery

&

49 County News.Net

We love you Santa and We Believe!

Photos by Staff Photographer    Story - JMays

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a song called" WALKING IN HIGH COTTON" - Yesteryears by Joel Palmer


I have not heard this song in several years.The words have a real
meaning to us "old Geezers"born back in the 1920s.that understand that one
has to do their own work in order to make it in this world, and after
doing their own hard work they have the right to" WALK IN HIGH
COTTON".Young folks may not understand the meaning of the words of this song.

We didn't know times were lean, around our house the grass was green.It
didn't seem that times were all that bad.I bet we walked a thousand
miles chopping cotton following a plow,learning how to give it all we
had.As life went on and years went by I saw the light in Daddy's eye and
felt the love in Mama's hand.They kept us warm and kept us fed and
taught us how to look ahead.Now looking back I understand.


WE were walking in high cotton.Old times were not forgotten.Those
fertile fields were never far away.We were walking in high cotton.Old times
were not forgotten.
leaving home was the hardest thing I ever did.

When Sunday morning rolled around.WE dressed up in hand me downs just
in time to gather at the church.Sometimes I think how long its been and
how it impressed me then.It was the only day my daddy didn't work.
CHORUS:
WE were walking in high cotton.Old times were not forgotten.Those
fertile fields were never far away.We were walking in high cotton.old times
were not forgotten.Leaving home was the hardest thing I ever did.

Joel Palmer, said,"Trust me young folks when I tell you that 75 to 80
years are not as long as you think."Come lord Jesus and help us,we are
making a mess out of life here.May each of you earn the right to WALK IN
HIGH COTTON. jp

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The Solar Miner IV Stops In Hamilton

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My Conversation With and a Letter From John Mark Karr Concerning His Recent Visit to Hamilton...Dec. 10, 2007

Judy Webb Mays jmays@49countynews.net

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Gone But Not Forgotten In 2007

This is a list (but not all inclusive) of people we have known and grown up knowing.  I thought you might like to see who we have lost in the year 2007.  You might recognize some...Most have been household names since television came into our living rooms. If I've left off any names that you want to see included, just email them to me at the email below and I will include them in the list. jmays@49countynews.net
If you want to read more about any name, just copy and paste the name into the Google search bar at the top of our front page.

~

January 8 - Yvonne De Carlo, Born 9/1/1922, Peggy Yvonne Middleton, actress, Most famous for her role al Lilly Munster on TV's sitcom "The Munsters" and as the wife of Moses in the classic movie "The Ten commandments", age 84

January 10 - Carlo Ponti, producer ("Doctor Zhivago") and husband of Sophia Loren, age 94

January 14 - Darlene Conley, Born 7/18/1934, actress (Sally Spectra on "Bold and the Beautiful") age 72

January 16 - Ron Carey, Born 12/11/1935, TV actor most famous for his role as Officer Carl Levitt on TV series "Barney Miller" age 71

January 17 - Art Buchwald, columnist for the Washington Post, age 81

January 19 - Denny Doherty, singer in the original Mamas and the Papas, age 66

January 20 - Sen. George Smathers, former U.S. Senator and confidant to several Presidents, age 93

January 27 - Tige Andrews, Born 3/19/1920, actor (Capt. Adam Greer on "Mod Squad") age 86

January 29 - Barbaro, thoroughbred race horse injured at 2006 Preakness, age 4

January 30 - Sidney Sheldon, author, producer ("The Other Side of Midnight" and "I Dream of Jeannie") age 89

February 4 - Barbara McNair - Born 3/4/1934, Singer and actress. Starred with Elvis Presley in Change of Habit.

February 6 - Frankie Laine, singer (theme to "Rawhide") age 93

February 8 - Anna Nicole Smith, Born 11/28/1967, Playmate, Reality TV star, tabloid maven, age 39

February 19 - Janet Blair - Born 4/23/1921, TV and and film actress, she was most famous for role co-staring with Rosalind Russell in My sister Eileen

Fenruary 24 - Lamar Lundy, defensive lineman and part of the "Fearsome Foursome" of the L.A. Rams of the '60s, age 71

February 24 - Bruce Bennett - Born 5/19/1906, Starred as Tarzan in the 1930's under the name Herman Mix. Later changed his named and appeared in such famous movies as Mildres Pierce, Dark Passage and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. Also won an Olympic silver medal in shot-putting in 1928.

February 28 - Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. Historian and Kennedy family confidant, age 89

March 4 - Sen. Thomas Eagleton, briefly a Vice Presidential nominee under George McGovern in 1972, age 77

March 8 - John Inman - Born 6/28/1935, British actor starred in the TV Series Are you Being Served? as Mr. Humphies

March 9 - Brad Delp, lead singer of Boston ( "More Than a Feeling" and "Long Time" ) age 55

March 10 - Richard Jeni, comedian, ( HBO special "Richard Jeni: Good Catholic Boy") age 49

March 11 - Betty Hutton, actress ("Greatest Show on Earth" and "Annie Get Your Gun") age 86

March 15 - Bowie Kuhn, former Major League Baseball commissioner, age 80

April 3 - Eddie Robinson, head football coach for 56 years at Grambling State University, age 88

April 7 - Barry Nelson, actor ("My Favorite Husband" and "What's My Line") age 89

April 11 - Kurt Vonnegut,author ("Slaughterhouse-Five") age 84

April 11 - Roscoe Lee Browne, Born 5/2/1925, Emmy award winning actor and director, he played cook, Jedediah Nightlinger, in the 1972 John Wayne Movie, The Cowboys

April 14 - Don Ho, singer/performer ("Tiny Bubbles") age 76

April 17 - Kitty Carlisle Hart, actress ("to Tell the Truth") age 96

April 23 - David Halberstam, author ("The Best and the Brightest" and "The Fifties") age 73

April 23 - Boris Yeltsin, Former Russian President, age 76

April 25 - Bobby "Boris" Pickett singer "Monster Mash"), age 69

April 26 - Jack Valenti, former White House aide and long time president of the Motion Picture Association of America, age 85

April 28 - Tommy Newsom, bandleader called "Mr. Excitement" by Johnny Carson on the "Tonight Show", age 78

April 28 - Dabbs Greer, Born 4/2/1917, played Rev. Alden on TV show Little House on the Prairie

April 30 - Tom Poston, Born 10/17/1921, actor (Cliff Murdock on "The Bob Newhart Show") age 85

May 3 -Wally Schirra, Original Mercury 7 astronaut who also flew in the Gemini and Apollo programs, age 84

May 15 - Rev. Jerry Falwell, Founder and Chancellor of Liberty University, age 73

May 15 - Yolanda King, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s eldest child, age 51

May 25 - Charles Nelson Reilly, Comedian and Tony winner actor/director best known as a panelist on the TV game show Match Game.

June 12 - Don Herbert, The beloved Mr. Wizard from children's Television show

June 14 - Ruth Graham, beloved wife of Rev. Billy Graham

June 26 - Liz Clairborne, fashion designer, age 78

June 29 - Joel Siegel, longtime movie critic for "Good Morning America", age 63

July 2 - Beverly Sills,Brooklyn-born opera diva, age 78

July 11 - Claudia "Lady Bird" Johnson, former First Lady of the United States 1963-1969, age 94

July 20 - Tammy Faye (Bakker) Messner, fomer wife of TV preacher Jim Bakker, age 65

July 29 - Tom Snyder, TV talk host ( "Tomorrow," "Late Late Show" ) age 71

July 30 - Ingmar Bergman, famed Swedish director ("The Seventh Seal" ) age 89

July 30 - Bill Walsh, legendary coach of the San Francisco 49ers, age 75

August 4 - Jim Skinner, 87. Patriarch of a Birmingham auto dealership family and sometimes star of a series of quirky television commercials, Skinner founded Jim Skinner Ford more than 50 years ago, and it remains one of Alabama's oldest family-owned car dealerships.

August 8 - Charles Lane - Character actor who was seen one hundreds of TV and movies

August 12 - Merv Griffin, talk show host, game show creator ("Jeopardy", "Wheel of Fortune") and casino owner, age 82, - Born 7/6/25.

August 13 - Phil Rizzuto, New York Yankee shortstop and Baseball Hall of Famer, age 89

August 18 - Michael Deaver, close advisor to President Ronald Reagan, age 69

August 20 - Leona Helmsley, New York hotelier known as the "queen of mean," age 87

August 28 - Miyoshi Umeki, Academy Award winning actress most known for her role as Mrs. Livingston on the TV series The courtship of Eddie's Father

September 2 - Marcia Mae Jones, Child actress most famous for her roles with Shirley Temple in the movies Heidi and The Little Princess

September 4 - Michael Evans, actor (Col. Douglas Austin on the "Young and the Restless") age 87

September 6 - Luciano Pavoratti, legendary Italian tenor, age 71

September 10 - Jane Wyman, actress - Born Sarah Jane Mayfield on January 5, 1917, in St. Joseph, Missouri. (Angela Channing on "Falcon Crest") and 1st wife of Ronald Reagan, age 90.  Died in Palm Springs, California, USA (complications from arthritis and diabetes).


September 15 - Brett Somers, actress best known as a panalist on the TV game show Match Game

September 21 - Alice Ghostley, Born 8/14/1926, actress (Esmeralda on "Bewitched" and Bernice on "Designing Women" ) age 81

September 21 - Rex Humbard, Born 8/13/1919, TV Evangelist ("Cathedral of Tomorrow") age 88

September 22 - Marcel Marceau, legendary mime, age 84

September 29 - Lois Maxwell, Born 2/14/1927, actress (Miss Moneypenny in 14 James Bond films) age 80

October 9 - Carol Bruce, Born 11/15/07, actress, Broadway and TV actress best known as Mama Carlson on TV series WKRP in Cincinnati

October 16 - Deborah Kerr, Born 9/30/1921, actress ("From Here to Eternity" and "The King and I"), age 86

October 17 - Joey Bishop, Born 2/3/1918, age 89, actor, comedian, best known for The Joey Bishop Show, last surviving member of the Rat Pack, (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop)

October 17 - Teresa Brewer, singer ("Music! Music! Music!") age 76

October 26 - Friedman Paul "Chef Tell" Erhardt (chef/writer) -- Died of Heart failure/diabetes, Born November 5, 1943. Philadelphia-based chef whose short cooking clips were syndicated across America during the '80s and '90s.

October 28 - Porter Wagoner, Country singer, Grand Ole Opry star, died of Lung cancer, Born August 12, 1927, "Green, Green Grass of Home", helped launch the career of Dolly Parton, had a long-running TV show, age 80

October 30 - Robert Goulet, Born 11/26/1933, Tony award winning singer/actor (Sir Lancelot in "Camelot") Died of Pulmonary fibrosis (died awaiting a lung transplant) His magnificent voice led to being cast as Lancelot in the original Broadway Camelot; married to Carol Lawrence during the '60s and '70s, did some funny commercials for Emerald Nuts in the months before he died at age 73

November 1 - Gen. Paul Tibbets, World War II pilot of the Enola Gay which dropped the A-bomb on Hiroshima, Born 3/23/1915, age 92

November 6 - Hilda Braid - Born 3/3/1929, English actress best known for her roles on TV series Citizen Snith and East Enders

November 10 - Laraine Day (actress), Born October 13, 1917. Foreign Correspondent, Nurse Lamont in many Dr. Kildaire movies, married to Leo Durocher for thirteen years.

November 10 - Norman Mailer, author, Born 1/31/1923, died of kidney failure, Controversial, pugnacious writer, acclaimed for his first novel The Naked and the Dead, he was considered counter-cultural in the '50s and helped found The Village Voice ("The Executioner's Song") age 84

November 11 - Delbert Mann, writer, Born 1/30/1920, died of pneumonia, directed Marty, Seperate Tables

November 13 - Ira Levin, Born 8/27/1929, Died of a heart attack, writer, wrote Rosemary's Baby, The Stepford Wives and Deathtrap

November 19 - Dick Wilson, Born 7/30/1916, in Preston, Lancashire, England, UK, actor best known as "Mr. Whipple" in over 500 Charmin commercials, age 91

November 27 - Sean Taylor, safety for the Washington Redskins, and before, the Miami Hurricanes, age 24

November 27 - Dr. Robert Cade, Born 9/27/1927, medical researcher at the Univ. of Florida (Gators) researcher who invented Gatorade in 1965, age 80

November 30 - Evel Knievel, legendary motorcycle daredevil, age 69

 December 4 - David Edward "Chip" Reese (March 28, 1951 – December 4, 2007) was an American professional gambler from Centerville, Ohio. Card star who won one of the biggest cash games in the world and three World Series of Poker championships. He was 56.

December 12 - Ike Turner, Born November 5, 1931, controversial Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, age 76

December 13 - Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman (musician/actor) -- Died of Leukemia. Born August 17, 1936. Dances with Wolves, Hildago, Northern Exposure, performed with artists like Bonnie Raitt and Willie Nelson, founded the Eyapaha Institute.

December 16 - Dan Fogelberg (singer/songwriter) -- Died of Prostate cancer. Born August 13, 1951. Sang and wrote classic pop, like "Leader of the Band", "Longer" and "Same Auld Lang Syne".

December 14 - Judith Meuli (writer) Died of Multiple myeloma. Born February 15, 1938. A founder of the Feminist Majority, active in NOW, edited The Feminist Chronicles with longtime partner Toni Carabillo.

December 23 - Michael Kidd (choreographer) -- Died of Cancer. Born August 12, 1915. Choreographed Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Hello Dolly! and many Broadway musicals.

December 23 - Oscar Peterson (jazz pianist) -- Died of Kidney failure. Born August 15, 1925. Won a major talent contest when he was 14, continued performing for nearly 70 years, a Founder Award Winner from the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

December 27 - Benazir Bhutto (politician) -- Died by Assassination. Born June 21, 1953. Western-educated, former prime minister of Pakistan forced out on corruption charges, shot while campaigning for another term.

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Friday, Dec. 21, 2007 Governor Riley Awards Grant for Guin Police Department

MONTGOMERY - Gov. Bob Riley has awarded $25,000 to boost law enforcement for the Guin Police Department. The grant will enable the department to purchase a police vehicle.

"Law enforcement agencies across Alabama are called upon daily to protect and serve those in their communities and often they are required to place their lives in danger," Riley said. "It is essential that we supply them with reliable equipment and transportation enabling them to efficiently perform their jobs."

Riley notified Mayor Phil Segraves that the grant had been awarded.

The grant was awarded from funds made available to the state from the U.S. Department of Justice. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs will administer the grant.


STATE OF ALABAMA

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

BOB RILEY GOVERNOR

ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

BILL JOHNSON DIRECTOR

Dollie Burkhalter Larry Childers
(334) 242-5525

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Game Of The Day

Test Your Skills Against
The Magic Gopher

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