Welcome To Chilton County News in Clanton, Alabama, located in the center of the State of Alabama in the Heart Of Dixie.
This web site contains local Peach Country information, news and happenings about the people of
Clanton, Jemison, Thorsby, Maplesville, Isabella, Verbena and Cooper in Chilton County, Alabama.

"Chilton County's Best-Read Weekly Community Newspaper"

AROUND CHILTON COUNTY!

Games This Week

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

GAMES THIS WEEK

Friday night 10/04:

CCHS At Chelsea

IHS At Highland Home

JHS Bye Week

Autaugaville At MHS (Homecoming)

Thomasville At THS

Notasulga At VHS

Gaylesville at VHS (Homecoming)

SCORES FROM LAST WEEK

CCHS 39, Brookwood 7

IHS 42, Billingsley 28

Sylacauga 28, JHS 14

Holtville 35, MHS 7

VHS 36, Gaylesville 24

Homecoming At

Mulberry Baptist

Mulberry Baptist Church will celebrate Homecoming on Sunday, October 6 beginning with the group "Holy Destiny" in concert at 10:00 a.m.

They will be followed by the worship service at 11:00 with Bro. David Bishop as guest speaker. Everyone is invited to come enjoy the day of worship and fellowship.

Class Reunion At

Isabella October 12

There will be a Class Reunion for Isabella Classes of 1973, 1974 and 1975 on Saturday, October 12 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

The reunions will be held in the Mulberry Baptist Church Family Life Center and the cost is $20.00 per person, to be paid at door day of reunion.

Fish Fry Will Be At

Senior Connection

Senior Connection will host a Halloween Fish Fry on Thursday, October 31, at 11:00 a.m. Plates will include Catfish Filets, Cole Slaw, French Fries, Hush Puppies, Dessert, and Tea for $10.00 per plate.

Tickets are available at the activity desk of Senior Connection in the Park Plaza Shopping Center in Clanton.

Clanton Awarded Grant

The City of Clanton has been awarded a grant in the amount of $773,967.00 through the Alabama Department of Transportation’s (ALDOT) Transportation Alternative Set-aside Program (TAP) for extending the sidewalk on Highway 31. This vital project will enhance pedestrian safety, promote accessibility, and support the overall quality of life for residents and visitors.

The TAP funding will be used to develop a new sidewalk infrastructure extending from Country Club Drive to Wilson Road along Highway 31. This project will be the second phase of construction to extend the sidewalk to Interstate 65. This project aligns with the city’s long-term vision for a more connected and walkable community while improving access to local businesses, schools, and other key points of interest in Clanton.

Mayor Jeff Mims expressed gratitude for the funding, stating, “This is a win for Clanton. The extension of the sidewalk is an important step in making our community more pedestrian-friendly and ensuring the safety of our residents. We are excited to move forward with this project and look forward to its positive impact.”

The Transportation Alternative Program is a federally funded initiative administered by ALDOT that aims to improve transportation options through projects that support walking, biking, and other non-motorized form of transportation.

For more information about the project, please contact Stanley Higgins, Director of Utilities, at (205) 755-6840 or shiggins@clantonal.gov.

Governor Ivey Deploys

Guard To North Carolina

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Governor Kay Ivey on Monday directed the activation of an Alabama National Guard team to assist in the most heavily impacted areas of North Carolina.

The 13-person team consists of 11 Airmen from around the state who serve as Alabama’s Fatality Search and Recovery Team (FSRT). The team also includes a chaplain and chaplain’s assistant.

“Hurricane Helene left warzone-like devastation in its path, and Alabama is here to lend a helping hand as our neighboring states begin responding and recovering,” said Governor Ivey. “North Carolina was especially impacted, and without hesitation, I am directing an Alabama National Guard team, in addition to other first responders, to aid in the search and rescue mission there. I pray for the safety of this team and that they are successful in their mission to rescue as many people as possible in the devastated parts of North Carolina.”

The activation order for the FSRT comes as several western North Carolina counties endured unprecedented flooding with reports of more than 1,000 individuals missing after the storm subsided.

“Our hearts go out to our brothers and sisters who have felt the worst of this storm,” said National Guard Adjutant General Maj. General David Pritchett. “This team is well-trained and well-equipped, and the prayers of our entire force are with them as they work to bring rescue to as many as possible and closure to the families of those we have lost.”

Three Accidents

Claim Four Lives

Three vehicle crashes have claimed lives in Chilton County over the last few weeks. A single-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 5:15 a.m. on Saturday, September 14, claimed the life of a Billingsley man, Pablo Crews Garcia, 20. He was fatally injured when the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup he was driving left the roadway and struck a tree. He was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The crash occurred on County Road 5, approximately one mile south of Jemison, in Chilton County.

A single-vehicle crash that occurred Wednesday, September 25, at approximately 1:15 a.m. has claimed the life of Mark S. Allred, 53, of Jemison. He was fatally injured when the 2024 Freightliner tractor-trailer he was driving left the roadway and struck a cable barrier before overturning. Allred was pronounced deceased at the scene. The crash occurred on Interstate 65 near the 215 mile marker, approximately five miles southeast of Jemison, in Chilton County.

A single-vehicle crash occurred Thursday, September 26, at approximately 9:33 a.m. and claimed two lives. Ronnie G. Smith, 66, and Teasha S. Biggs, 44, both of Dickson, Tennessee, were both fatally injured when the 2005 Toyota Tundra they were passengers in left the roadway and overturned. They were pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the vehicle, Ernest H. Biggs III, 56, of Dickson, Tennessee, was injured and transported to Ascension St. Vincent’s Chilton Hospital in Clanton for treatment. A 12-year-old juvenile, who was a passenger, was also injured and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. The crash occurred on Interstate 65 near the 198 mile marker, approximately one mile south of Verbena, in Chilton County.

Nothing further is available as Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate these accidents.

Thorsby Swedish

Festival Set For

Saturday, October 12

The Thorsby Swedish Festival will be Saturday, October 12. This will be the 35th Anniversary of Thorsby honoring its heritage. Thorsby was founded in 1895 by people of Scandinavian descent who had previously settled in the northern United States. They came to Alabama hoping to raise fruits to sell and to use to make wine. The northern climate had proven unsuitable for growing grapes so Central Alabama was chosen as a good candidate for a new start.

The idea of the festival began in the 1980’s with the first event being held that year. It was called the Swedish Festival, but it actually celebrates its truly Scandinavian beginnings. Alongside those Swedish settlers were people from Norway, Finland, and Denmark as well.

The Swedish Fest Beauty Pageant will be held Saturday, October 5 with the Tiny, Little and Young categories beginning at 1:00 p.m. The Junior and Miss Swedish categories will begin at 5:00 p.m.

The Queens will ride in the parade on Saturday, October 12, beginning at 9:00 a.m. To be a participant in the parade, contact Neil Benson at Benson.thorsby@gmail.com or call 205-646-2936. Other events will include the 5K Viking Run, an Auto Show, and Arts and Craft booths from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

The Entertainment Schedule, beginning at 10:00 in Richard Wood Park includes the National Anthem by the THS Band, introduction of the Swedish Queens, opening prayer and welcome. Beginning at 10:30, the following will perform: Donna’s Dancers and Tammie’s Twirlers, Just Twirl It, THS Rebelettes, Martial Arts, Hype Athletics, THS cheer, Thorsby First Baptist Praise Team, Chilton County Distinguished Young Woman, Car Show winners announced and the CCHS Tiger Eyes Dance Team.

Entry forms for these events are located on the website www.thorsbyswedishfestival.com or email ThorsbySF@gmail.com. Everyone is invited to attend this free community event and enjoy a day full of activities.