Clarke County Democrat

GH finances in pretty good shape

By Jim Cox Editor & Publisher — 12/04/2008

The town of Grove Hill may be small with limited income but municipal government is in good shape, according to financial figures given to town council members Monday night along with fiscal 2009 budget figures that were approved.

Could Rockville bust connect to stones in Mt. Nebo Cemetery?

By Jim Cox Editor & Publisher — 12/04/2008

Emmett Bennett retrieved an unusual relic from his car during the Pioneer Day celebration at the Clarke County Museum last month to show Museum Curator Kerry Reid. Reid's and others jaws dropped when they saw the life size bust of a black man with his eyes closed on a pedestal base. It looked like the famous "death mask" tombstones in the Mt.

Volunteer inmates make a dent in litter problem

By Jim Cox Editor & Publisher — 12/04/2008

Volunteers, including county jail inmates, are working to clean up local litter along local roads. It is a never-ending job. The Clarke County Anti-Litter Committee pushed for and got the Clarke County Commission to fund a program to use jail inmate labor to pick up litter along area roads.

Three parades in three days across county

12/04/2008

The Grove Hill Christmas Parade will be Thursday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. This year's theme is "Christmas Stories." Immediately following the parade, Mayor Jerry Newton will officially light the town's Christmas Tree in the new Laurie Carleton Park adjacent to the Courthouse Square. Santa will put in an appearance at the park's gazebo to see local youngsters.

A 'new' Greer's for Grove Hill

12/04/2008

A ribbon cutting for the renovated and updated Grove Hill Greer's, now a Greer's Market store was held Wednesday along with a lunch from the store's deli provided by the Grove Hill and Fairhope Market stores. Greer family members, store employees and townspeople joined as Mayor Jerry Newton cut the ribbon. See more photos on Page 8A. Photo by Jim Cox

Grove Hill committees, boards, employees are named

By Jim Cox Editor & Publisher — 12/04/2008

Grove Hill Mayor Jerry Newton announced the assignment of council members to various committees at Monday's council meeting as well as other boards that include citizens. Financial and personnel board—budget, purchasing and hiring: Levon Hicks, Pat McGraw, Earl Wilson.

Calvin Guy burned over 50% of body but improving

12/04/2008

Calvin Guy is doing better after suffering second degree burns to over 50 percent of his body last week. His granddaughter, Melodye Dunagan, said Monday that he remains in ICU in the burn unit of the University of South Alabama Medical Center and is expected to be in the hospital for at least 52 days, a day for each percentage of skin area burned.

Dr. Johnson marks 20 years as ASCC prez

12/04/2008

Faculty and staff joined to celebrate the anniversary of Dr. John A. Johnson's presidency at Alabama Southern Community College on Dec. 1. Many enjoyed sharing their memories and accomplishments and there was an announcement of the newest College distinction.

Responsibilities come with pet ownership

By Donna P. Gates Clarke County Animal Care and Control Facility Study Group — 12/04/2008

It's getting to be that time of year again! Before you give a puppy or kitten for Christmas you should think about this. Giving a pet as a holiday gift elicits visions of the happy recipient welcoming puppy kisses or the purrs of a new kitty after discovering the furry little bundle under the tree.

Final wedding plans

12/04/2008

Dixon-Smith Victoria Lynn Dixon and Damaine Orlando Smith will exchange wedding vows Saturday, Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. at Acks Chapel C.M.E. in Gordo. Miss Dixon is the daughter of Rev. J.P. and Mozelle Dixon of Reform. Mr. Smith is the son of Denise Smith of Nanafalia.

Hospital Auxiliary ending year on a busy note

12/04/2008

The Grove Hill Memorial Hospital Auxiliary meetings at the end of the year were busy meetings. One was a work session in which invitations to participate in the 17th annual Tree Lighting Project were folded and stuffed into addressed envelopes. The proud and dedicated workers discussed the history of the holiday tradition and looked forward to the ceremony on Thursday, Dec.

Thanks to everyone for shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child

12/04/2008

We would like to thank everyone who prepared a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child. We would also like to say a special thanks to every person who volunteered a few hours at the local drop-off location. Without the wonderful supporters of Operation Christmas Child, we would not have been able to collect 2,306 gift filled shoeboxes for children overseas.

Chicken Little and 'Cow Tax'

12/04/2008

Following a week's worth of speculation and a media frenzy on a proposed "cow tax" in the form of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sanctions, the Alabama Cattlemen's Association is urging cattlemen in Alabama to address the issue with calm after hearing all the facts.

Photo

12/04/2008

The new Laurie Carleton Park adjacent to the Courthouse Square will host a Christmas tree for the season and Santa Claus after the parade Thursday evening.

Jordan graduates basic training

12/04/2008

Ashley Jordan is a 2008 graduate of Jackson High School. She graduated from Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas on August 22. She will complete her AIT training at Brooks-City AFB in San Antonio, Texas Dec. 11. Her first duty station will be Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Miss.

Turner completes navy training

12/04/2008

S.R. Jake Turner, a graduate of Clarke Preparatory School has completed his Naval Basic Training at Great Lakes, Ill. on Nov. 12. He will complete his education at Fort Jackson, S.C. Dec. 12. He is the son of Cheryl Turner of Grove Hill.

Masked man spotted near Jackson bank's night depository

By Evan Carden Special to The Democrat — 12/04/2008

Jackson Police are investigating two incidents of attempted theft/robbery at First United Security Bank on College Avenue. According to Chief Charles Burge the incidents each occurred within the past couple of weeks, with the most recent taking place at approximately 11:15 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30.

Greer's Grove Hill Market Grand Opening

12/04/2008

Catherine Neal, Grove Hill's Citizen of the Year, helped draw for door prizes.

Wallace State professor offers tips for writing family and local histories

By Jim Cox Editor & Publisher — 12/04/2008

The director of the Family and Regional History Program at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville gave an informative and entertaining talk on publishing genealogies and local histories Sunday at the Clarke County Historical Society's monthly meeting in Grove Hill.

Jackson Police Chief Burge recognizes heroes

By Jim Cox Editor & Publisher — 12/04/2008

Jackson Police Chief Charles Burge presented three police officers and a civilian with commendations for their roles in rescuing a woman who attempted suicide by jumping from the McCorquodale Bridge into the Tombigbee River in September.

Community Calendar

12/04/2008

Grove Hill Christmas parade—The Grove Hill Christmas Parade will be Thursday, (today), Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. This year's theme is "Christmas Stories." For more information or to register for the parade, please contact the Grove Hill Area Chamber of Commerce at 251- 275-4188 or grovehillcoc@tds.net.

Announcements

12/04/2008

Hopewell Baptist Church singing Hopewell Baptist Church located on Highway 154 in the Chilton community will host a fifth Saturday night singing, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. The Dixie Disciples and other local singers will be featured. Rev. Moody Day is the interim pastor. Everyone is invited.

Church of the Week

12/04/2008

First Presbyterian Church Jackson

Grove Hill Baptist Church November Awana Clubs

12/04/2008

Sparks-Adam Cooke, T&T-Sara Wilson and Cubbies-Jay Davis The Awana children's program is for children ages 4 years-old to the 6th Grade. Activities are held on Sunday night from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. All children are invited to join any time during the year. For more information please call the church office at 275-3238.

Fueling up

12/04/2008

The decision to install a central fueling station for county vehicles makes good sense and we were glad to see county commissioners approve it last week. The outfit will cost about $100,000 but the county got a good interest rate of 3.26 percent (we wish we could get a rate like that!).

Shop locally

12/04/2008

The Christmas season is here. In fact it is less than three weeks until Christmas. It is always best to shop as close to home as possible and this year it is more important than ever. The economy isn't the best anywhere but the more money you spend closest to home, the better our local economy does.

Cartoon

12/04/2008

Tis the season

Jim Cox — 12/04/2008

Jingle bells, shotgun shells, BBs all the way. We've all heard the made-up lyrics to the Christmas classic "Jingle Bells." Reckon this was the version the crazy crowd was humming as they rushed over a part-time Wal-Mart employee in Long Island, N.Y. Friday? Or maybe in California where two men gunned one another down in a Toys R Us store crowded with shoppers.

Big changes coming for TV in 2009

Jo Bonner — 12/04/2008

As I am sure many of you know by now, starting February 17, 2009, all television stations must broadcast exclusively in a digital format. This means stations will no longer broadcast in analog and some traditional televisions will no longer work.

Vote one way and another

Steve Flowers — 12/04/2008

Alabamians have established definite trends in our voting patterns. We have made a clear delineation between national and local races. We prefer Republicans for national office and Democrats locally. The state races are somewhere in between.

Big times in Tuscaloosa this weekend

Cindy Garrick — 12/04/2008

Dean and I took Erin to her first Iron Bowl. We started out a little disappointed by the weather since we'd planned to tailgate, but we opted for fried chicken out of the back of the SUV.

Plant poppies soon for spring blooms

Dora Fleming — 12/04/2008

The ground is cooling off a little, but that's okay. That means that after a few hard frosts we can plant annual poppy seed for bloom next spring. One of the reasons I garden is to insure a supply of cut flowers for the house. Nothing fills the bill quite like poppies. Their colors are vibrant; the blooms are big and flamboyant; their stems are long and without leaves.

County Records

12/04/2008

Marriage license applications James Nathan Ellis, to Chelsy Nichole Smith; John Brandon Osborn, to Jessica Shaey Steadman; William Corey Andrews, to Ellen Victoria Kelly; Robert E. Jackson, to Donna Juanita Renner; Sylvester D. Stallworth, to Velma Ridgeway.

Arrests booked through county jail last week

12/04/2008

Arrests booked through the Clarke County Jail during the week of Nov. 25-Dec. 02 include: James Donald Howie, 18, minor in possession of alcohol, $500 bond, arrested by Thomasville Police Dept. Lynn Chaney Overton, 40, probation violation, unlawful possession of alcohol, $939.30 bond, arrested by Clarke County Sheriff's Dept.

Gray

12/04/2008

Hendryx Wyatt Gray, 57, of Jackson and Destin, Fla. died Nov. 29, 2008 at his residence in Jackson after a lengthy battle with lung cancer. He was born March 4, 1951. He was a graduate of Marion Institute and Georgia Tech. He was a member of Ft. Walton Beach Elks Club and a lifetime member of Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

Dunn

12/04/2008

Ethel Louise Thomas Dunn, 83, a native of Jackson and a long time resident of Grove Hill died Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008, at her residence. She was active in Stave Creek Baptist Church and Grove Hill Baptist Church. She served as president and treasurer of the Clarke County Woman Missionary Union.

Rush

12/04/2008

James Rufus Rush, 86, of Mobile died Nov. 28, 2008 at a family home in Mobile. He was born June 21, 1922. He was a native of Campbell. He was a United States Army Veteran of World War II having fought in the Battle of The Buldge. He was a member of the Azalea City Church of Christ in Mobile. He was a retired operator for Olin Chemical Corp. at McIntosh.

Rush

12/04/2008

Roger Glenn Rush, 59, of Mobile died Nov. 25, 2008 in a Mobile area hospital. He was born April 14, 1949. He was a native of Jackson. He was a member of Creekwood Church of Christ in Mobile. He was a mason and member of Howard Lodge in Mobile. He worked in sales for Bowman Distribution in the auto parts industry.

Brooks

12/04/2008

Baby Dedrick Takala Brooks Jr., 22 days old, of Thomasville died Nov. 29, 2008 in Mobile. Survivors include his mother, Felicia Monique Waters; his father, Dedrick Takala Brooks Sr.; two sisters, Za'Riyah McMillian, Dedra Brooks; grandmothers, Willie Waters, Thomasville, Tonya Ford, Marion.

Nobles

12/04/2008

Willard Eugene Nobles Jr., 74, of Thomasville died Nov. 22, 2008 at his residence. He was retired from a timber company as a logger. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Nobles; three children, Horace Nobles, Carolyn Burroughs, Cheryl Hyde, all of Thomasville; five stepchildren, Fernando George, Hinesville, Ga.

Card of Thanks

12/04/2008

Thank You Until we can thank all of you personally, may we take this means of extending our deep appreciation for the many kindnesses shown in our recent sorrow at the death of Benjamin Watson Dunn. Perhaps you sent a lovely card, or sat quietly with Mother or one of us. Perhaps you sent beautiful flowers. There were so many of them at the service.

Leroy, Sweet Water back in B'ham

By Chris Sherman Special to The Democrat — 12/04/2008

The Leroy Bears won their 24th consecutive game Friday night with a 26-6 pounding of the Reeltown Rebels on a foggy and rainy night in Tallapoosa County. Leroy jumped in front 12-0 in the first quarter and never looked back advancing to the Super Six for the third straight season.

Super Six title game match-ups

12/04/2008

Legion Field, Birmingham Dec. 4-5-6, home team listed second in pairings Class 1A Sweet Water (13-1) vs. Speake (12-2), Friday, 3 p.m. Class 2A Leroy (14-0) vs. Sulligent (12-2), Saturday, 11 a.m. Class 3A Leeds (14-0) vs. Cordova (11-3), Thursday, 3 p.m.

Bulldogs handle Linden 34-7 in 'Marengo Mudbowl'

By Ross Wood Sports Editor — 12/04/2008

SWEET WATER—A torrential downpour resulted in nine total fumbles, but the Sweet Water Bulldogs lost none and were able to beat county rival Linden 34-7 here tonight. The wet conditions aided the Bulldogs (13-1) as they recovered five Patriot miscues in the contest.

Bulldogs win two of three games

12/04/2008

The Clarke County High School basketball team won two of three games last week as they beat Monroeville and Sumter before falling to Livingston. Last Tuesday CCHS traveled to Livingston and lost 64-58.

Lady Bulldogs beat Leroy, M'ville

12/04/2008

The Clarke County High School Lady Bulldogs basketball team picked up their first wins of the season as they beat Leroy and Monroeville recently. CCHS beat Leroy 65-32 in Grove Hill. Kiara Gildersleeve had 15 points and three rebounds. Jamie Stabler added 14 points and two steals. Sherita Williams had 10 points and seven rebounds.