Eufaula AL News Commentary and Reading Recommendations

I really enjoyed this article, even though it took me several paragraphs to realize that this was not about a contemporary couple, but the author of the song Amazing Grace.
 
I realized it was not set in modern times when "John" gave up his cruel business shipping slaves.

From http://www.andalusiastarnews.com/article...bors/news02.txt:
 
Survival looked hopeless. John was attempting to steer the ship, trying to hold it on course.
His thoughts turned to Christ, and he cried out, "Lord, have mercy on us!" (...) The wretched man was saved and began seeking the Lord in prayer and reading the Scriptures. Mary saw the change in her childhood friend, and the two were married and spent the next forty years together. He wrote that their love "equaled all that the writers of romance have imagined."(...)

Today, we can read a two-volume collection of John's letters to Mary. He said, "I am led to think of the goodness of God, who has made you mine, and given me a heart to value you. Thus my love to you, and my gratitude to him, cannot be separated...All other love, that is not connected with a dependence on God, must be precarious."
John Newton never ceased to be amazed at God's work in his life. He began writing hymns for Sunday night services at his church. We still sing his words, "Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost but now am found, Was blind but now I see."

Very interesting. Make sure to check out the whole article about John Newton.
 
How nice of the Andalusia Star News to add a bit of history to their daily reporting. God knows that inspiring stories like that are more uplifting than most stuff you find in the news these days.

06:05 AM   

Very interesting article in the Eufaula Tribune. Can one town learn from the other, or is it too simple to jump to conclusions?

From http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=2...6&PAG=461&rfi=9:
 
Both are small towns located at least 30 miles from a major city. Thomasville, with 20,000 residents, is 35 miles from Tallahassee, Fla. Eufaula, with 14,000 residents, is 45 miles from Columbus, Ga. Both are racially diverse cities that take pride in their heritage and tout their stately homes as tourist attractions. Both towns also place emphasis on Main Street programs designed to lure shoppers downtown.
There is at least one key difference. Thomasville has a bypass. Eufaula doesn't.
According to two Thomasville officials, the bypass has helped the town grow. "Our bypass is seen as a way to route truck traffic around Thomasville, and have an easier flow in our downtown area," Don Sims of the Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce said. "I have never heard of anyone being against the project.(...)

Hwy. 84 and Hwy. 319 now bypass about three-quarters of the town. (Both highways are federal). (...)

Downtown Thomasville has been chosen as one of five "Great American Main Street" cities in the world and one of the 100 best retirement towns in the country. (...)
Thomasville's unemployment rate for December was 4.6 percent. That's slightly higher than the Georgia state average of 4.0 percent, but lower than the national average of 5.4 percent. Thomas County's unemployment rate was 3.4 percent.

It's true that a bypass can make a downtown area more pedestrian-friendly. Thomasville residents seem to be very happy with the bypass, so Eufaula might find it beneficial as well.

08:24 AM   

Alabama attorneys are claiming the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is illegally storing water for Georgia, and causing harm downstream.

From http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsi...id=439676&rfi=6:
 
That put the dispute over the Alabama, Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers back in court.
"The corps has made repeated decisions to sacrifice water quality, hydropower, navigation, downstream recreation, fish and wildlife during times of low flow in order to give undue preference to upstream recreation and water supply," the complaint states.(...)
The state sued the Corps in 1990 over the use of rivers that begin in Georgia and flow to Alabama and Florida. The Apalachicola/Chattahoochee/Flint river system is also part of the suit.
North Georgia interests (...) state they need additional water to handle population growth. Downstream interests, including the cities of Eufaula, Columbus, Ga, and Bainbridge, Ga, state if Georgia receives the amount of water it desires, downstream cities would suffer. (...) According to The Birmingham News, Alabama claims about 25 endangered species of fish, mussels and snails could suffer from "illegal management of the reservoirs." The state also claims downstream residents may pay higher electricity bills because the Corps holds water that is needed for hydropower.

Essential reading for all residents of Alabama, Georgia and Florida. It's a tough call: who owns how much of a natural resource that flows freely across state lines?
 
What do you think? Leave your comments below.

07:55 AM   

A noteworthy article in the Auburn Plainsman.

From http://www.theplainsman.com/vnews/displa...T/41ef558f578d8:
 
"There's always a conflict between immediate gratification and the long-term goal," explained Opelika psychologist Anne Harzem. "Quite often, we give in to immediate gratification."
If the goal is to lose weight, it's difficult not to give into the instant gratification of a slice of chocolate cake. Goals that require several months of dedication to achieve are harder to stick with.

It all boils down to the fact: It's hard to change ourselves, and our habits. We'll all have relapses from our good intentions, but it's important not to lose determination.

07:26 AM   

The proposed construction work will add additional lanes and a bridge culvert extension on U.S. Highway 431. But because the Citizen-News in Phenix City failed to publish the third ad as required by law, the process has to start all over.

From http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsi...id=439676&rfi=6:
 
ALDOT's original advertisement for bids began running Oct. 21, but The Citizen-News failed to publish the ad during the third week as required by state law, according to the press release. State law requires ALDOT to advertise its requests for bids for three consecutive weeks prior to a bid opening. (...) For more information on this proposed construction project and the associated advertisement for bids, go to www.dot.state.al.us and click "Project Letting," then scroll down and view "December 7, 2004, Letting."

The process with the required newspaper advertisements is truly outdated in this internet age. In light of incidences like this, I would not be surprised if the requirement will be dropped soon in favor of a more flexible solution.

09:21 AM   

The Eufaula Tribune features a great article about what attracts people to this area. The antebellum homes, small-town atmosphere, lake views, and reasonable real estate prices charm people looking for a great place to retire.

From http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=2...0&PAG=461&rfi=9:
 
"There is a real push for retirees to move here from Florida," Kirkland said. "They get the same benefits and more safety. I think there's also an influx of younger people moving in and I think it's the traditional small-town value system, miniscule amount of crime, school systems...you can walk down the street at midnight and not worry about getting mugged."(...)

[Jim Thompson] was pleasantly surprised at the affordable cost. "I was shocked at the price," Thompson said. "Those prices are absolutely unbelievable compared to Sarasota, Fla. I couldn't have found a more endearing place for the money unless I went to Martha's Vineyard and paid $3 million." The climate and friendliness of the people also factored into his satisfaction with Eufaula.

Makes you feel really lucky to live in Eufaula! With the ridiculous prices of properties along the Gulf Coast, I expect that many more people will discover lakefront living in Eufaula.

08:20 AM   

A non-profit group is being formed to revive the Martin Theatre and restore it to its former glory. It was once one of the largest theatres in Southeast Alabama, seating 1,129 people. That is considerably larger than the Eufaula City Auditorium, which only seats a few hundred.

From http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=2...1&PAG=461&rfi=9:
 
Now the front shell is all that remains after a fire that took place several years ago. The group feels that with funding-which would come mostly through grants-the building could be renovated and used as a performing arts center. There is talk about using the building for the Eufaula Little Theater and Eufaula Concert Series.
Smith and Eufaula Mayor Jay Jaxon also mentioned the possibility of using the facility for first-run movies, thanks to digital projection equipment.

It would be a dream come true, to have a theatre in Eufaula that combines tradition and history with modern technology! This project is worth supporting. The city council has offered its support to the non-profit group, however not (yet) financial assistance.

08:58 AM   

A short, but interesting article.

From http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=2...5&PAG=461&rfi=9:
 
"There were a few ambushes," he said. "You get used to it to a point. But when you start to relax, something else happens, and it tenses you back up."
Cantley said the attitudes of Iraqis have changed.
"When we first went in there, it was quiet. They were pretty afraid of us," Cantley said. "Toward the end, they were becoming more hostile."

How long until all the troops will be home? Let's pray for their safe return, in spite of all the bad news that's rolling in almost daily.
 
Sadly, the Iraqi opposition to American troops has been encouraged by their recent "successes"... and a lot of civilians are dying, too. It's hard for me to think of this war as anything else but a nightmare at this point. Long-term prospects are unclear, except that billions and billions of dollars will continue to be spent. Maybe I'm too pessimistic, but sometime's it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

07:03 AM   

Interesting article about two American Indians sharing the history of both towns.

From http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsi...id=439676&rfi=6:
 
Nixon and Skaggs brought brochures and other literature about Eufaula, Oklahoma, and Jaxon shared with them the story of Chief Eufaula, the towns' shared Native American ancestor.
Chief Eufaula addressed the Alabama Legislature in 1836 before the Creek Indians were removed to Oklahoma, "to say farewell in brotherly kindness before I go to the far West where my people are now going." An historical marker at Old Creek Town Park commemorates the event, and was one of the places Nixon and Skaggs planned to visit while in the area.
Before coming to Eufaula, they had already visited several mound sites in Alabama and had plans to visit Kolomoki Mounds and Fort Mitchell.

A great opportunity to remember the Indian tribes who used to live all over North America before European settlers arrived. We are very indebted to American Indians and it's important to keep their heritage alive.
 
Check out some Indian myths online. They are strange but very beautiful, full of amazing storytelling.

08:13 AM   

The Birmingham News features a great article about webloggers in Alabama. (Weblogs are online diaries - entries are instantly published to a website on the internet.)

From http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/in...04501180190.xml:
 
Some of the Alabama-based blogs could be written anywhere. Others are pure Heart of Dixie. For instance, one blog monitors politics in Phenix City. "Mayor Hardin mentioned a new car dealership coming to Phenix City," reads a post from "Redneckin." "Two questions immediately come to mind. How much did we pay for it and who is it? In that order."
(...) One group of Alabama bloggers has formed the "Axis of Weevil." Sixty-four bloggers belong. They all post links to each other's sites and write comments on them.

Hopefully, the group of Alabama bloggers will grow by leaps and bounds. Few onlines (on TV or the web) are as entertaining as finding a weblog of a like-minded person and checking it out on a daily basis.
 
Weblogs are a great way to read about another person's life... after a while, you almost feel part of it. Do you enjoy writing? Then I strongly encourage you to give weblogging a try. It's a great way to connect with other people and to reflect on your life daily.
 
If you keep a local weblog, let us know and we'll feature it on this site.

06:43 AM   

An editorial in the Montgomery Advertiser points out why chances of a state lottery in Alabama might be pretty slim, even though two-thrids of Alabamians favor a state lottery to benefit education.

From http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/NEWS...edlott1012w.htm:
 
The results of the state's most recent vote on a lottery could make many legislators reluctant to tackle the issue again. Despite polls that showed a majority of citizens supported a lottery in 1999, voters still soundly rejected it after questions were raised about how it would be administered by the administration of former Gov. Don Siegelman.
The Alabama Christian Coalition mounted a strong campaign against a lottery the last time around (...)
While the poll shows a majority of Alabamians support a lottery, the opposition was highest (but still a minority) among respondents who identified themselves as strong Republicans or strong conservatives, just the groups that provide the base of support for Gov. Bob Riley and Republicans in the Legislature. Without the strong support of a governor, lottery legislation would be difficult to get through the Legislature and approved by the voters in a referendum.

The article gives a lot of insight into the everyday wheeling and dealing in politics. But, a "lottery to increase funding for education" might not be as good as it sounds. Florida officials managed to decrease public funding for schools, and using the funds from the lottery to replace it. Thus, the lottery arguably didn't make as much difference as it should have.
 
Note that certain kinds of gambling are already allowed in Alabama: dog tracks and the Indian gaming parlors in Atmore, Wetumpka and Montgomery.

06:29 AM   

It'll be a feast... and hopefully spread the word about the excellent bass fishing opportunities in beautiful Lake Eufaula.

From http://www.fishingworld.com/News/Read.php?ArtID=000013260:
 
The 175 Southern Open boaters and non-boaters will finally get their shot at Lake Eufaula largemouth Oct. 28-30 with a $50,000 top prize on the line. Also at stake are valuable points toward the 20 qualifying slots for December’s CITGO Bassmaster Open Championship presented by Busch Beer in Monroe, La., which will send its top five finishers to the 2005 CITGO Bassmaster Classic presented by Busch Beer in Pittsburgh, PA, next July.
"I think it being postponed a month is going to make the fishing a little better," said Alabama’s Tim Horton, a former CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year. "The end of October is typically better than September (...)"

Lake Eufaula is one of the country’s most famous bass waters. This is the place where Bobby Padgett of Columbus, GA, caught a 77-pound, 9-ounce bass (Bassmaster Eastern Invitational event, 1996).

09:21 AM   

Mentioned in this article...

From http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=2...8&PAG=461&rfi=9:
 
Several months ago, the county paid off a 20-year-old loan used to refurbish the county's two courthouses, the majority of which was used for the Eufaula courthouse. But Barbour County Commission Chairman Frank Straughn told his fellow commissioners Monday night, "We're going to have to turn right around and put millions of dollars in them to bring them up to par."

Talking about the poor condition of the Eufaula courthouse, Straughn said he is worried someone could fall through the floor.

Many argue that the cost of running two courthosues is one of the reasons of Barbour County's financial troubles.

08:25 AM   

From http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=2...6&PAG=461&rfi=9:
 
Self-serving as though it may be, we urge Eufaula-area shoppers to keep their dollars here. It's not only good for us. It's good for the community.
Retail shopping makes up two-thirds of the U.S. economy, and keeping dollars at home is vital to communities like Eufaula, which, quite frankly, aren't growing.
The more dollars we send elsewhere, the more damage is done to the local economy.

The article makes very good points. Especially with high gas prices right now, there is no need to drive somewhere else to save a few dimes.

06:32 AM   

A nice little article about a family opening a business in Eufaula. The wife immigrated from Poland; he is of Italian heritage.

From http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsi...id=439676&rfi=6:
 
It might take the locals a while to learn a language intimately familiar to her and her husband-Italian. The couple will operate a fine dining Italian restaurant Rich Daniels plans to open on Broad Street in downtown Eufaula. They hope to open by year's end.
(...) A self-described "workaholic," Asha met Chris about nine years ago while she was waiting tables at a second job. He was the bartender at the restaurant.
Chris also brings plenty of restaurant experience to La Bella Vita, (The Beautiful Life,) which Daniels plans to open if Eufaula City Council approves a compromise on downtown alcohol licensing laws at its next meeting.
(...) "It's going to be nice," she said. "White table cloths, silver on the table, nice music."
La Bella Vita will serve all sorts of Italian fare, from ba-sics like lasagna and veal dishes to eggplant parmesan and chicken parmesan.
(...) In addition to renovating the building, which needs extensive work to restore its original charm, the Weekses and Daniels are working with a restaurant design consultant.

We welcome them with open arms to our community. Their restaurant project sounds wonderful and a nice addition to the downtown area.

06:27 AM   

The new program is run by Spectracare here in the Wiregrass.

From http://www.wtvynews4.com/home/headlines/677057.html:
 
Candy Gaff, Spectracare prevention specialist, says, "The children learn how to work through their problems instead of just getting upset and using violence. They learn how to calm themselves down and talk it over with the other person instead of resorting to violence."
There are nine sessions in the Second Step Program and teachers say they see a difference in their students even after just a few visits from Gaff.
The Spectracare program reaches students in Pre-K through 6th grades in Barbour, Dale, Geneva, Henry and Houston Counties.

Hopefully this will cut down on the dark side of school - hazing and bullying, caused by and causing upset and rage.

06:27 AM   

The Eufaula tribune has a great article today about springbreakers getting busted on their way through Eufaula.

From http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsi...id=439676&rfi=6:
 
Eufaula Police Capt. Philip Ezell said drug activity always increases in the spring, because people are getting out more often.
Ezell said those arrested were upper college age, 22 to 30, and not teenagers.
(...) If an officer sees or smells drugs, such as marijuana smoke, a warrant is not needed to search the car. If the officer has suspicions drugs may be present, but has no visual indicator, then the officer asks to search the car.
(...) Ezell advises spring breakers to drive carefully, stay with a group, watch the loud music, wear seat belts, stay away from drugs and have a great holiday.

Interestingly enough, Police Capt. Ezell points out that most of the drug offenders caught in Eufaula during routine traffic violations are middle and upper middle class, because they are the ones who can afford to travel.
 
I guess the 'upper class' travels by airplane, out of Eufaula police officers' reach.

08:06 AM   

Now that's interesting... a biodegradeable lure based on a top-secret patent. "Gummi Bears for Bass" they are called.

From http://www.al.com/newsflash/regional/ind...29465199010.xml:
 
a new product that manufacturers say could both revolutionize the $300 million artificial lure industry and reduce pollution from anglers.
Birmingham-based FoodSource Lures Corp. is one of at least two companies selling what they describe as fully biodegradable artificial lures.
(...) The lures - which received a patent last week - are slimy and infused with scents including garlic and crawfish, which some say is like the smell of a grilled T-bone steak to a fish. The strong smell is the key to the lure's success, Rogers said.
"We really consider it a scent delivery system," he said.
To prevent pollution, the company says the lures dissolve in water within three weeks if they're not eaten first by microbes or fish. They will also break down in sunshine if left on the ground.

Great stuff. The lures were devleoped at Auburn Univeristy, and are being manufactured in Eufaula. Auburn graduate Doug Ollis took the idea to the school's fisheries unit after his dog ate a bag of plastic worms (!). Ollis is now a partner at FoodSource Lures, too. Congratulations on a great idea that contributes to the enhancement of our (and wildlife's) lives. - Now, y'all go and try out the new lures! They are being sold on the internet for less than $6 per bag.

09:35 AM   

My husband had an almost-accident on the same road. People! Drive carefully. Watch your speed. Watch out for deer (!). When you turn onto 431, rather wait an extra minute than trying a daredevil stunt. That road is deadly.

From http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsi...id=439676&rfi=6:
 
Gary Cole, 54, the driver of the tanker truck involved in the accident, died at an Atlanta Hospital. Cole had suffered severe burns after flames engulfed his tanker truck when it slammed head-on into a minivan driven by a 29-year-old Eufaula woman.
Killed instantly at the scene were Jennifer Long Gilmore, 29, of Eufaula, and her two sons, Robert, three, and Bram, two.
(...) Gilmore and her children were traveling north on U.S. 431 toward Columbus, where she worked and her young sons attended daycare.
(...) Cole's death brings the number of crosses on U.S. 431 to 48. All 48 of those fatalities occurred on two-lane stretches of U.S. 431.

Drive defensively!

08:16 AM   

Now that's scary...

From http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsi...id=439676&rfi=6:
 
Eufaulians experienced a dramatic rise in robbery and theft of property incidents during 2003, and police made 39 percent more arrests on drug charges than in 2002.
(...) On the good side, there was a slight decline in domestic violence incidents and juvenile arrests.
(...) Robbery incidents increased by 52.94 percent, from 17 robberies reported in 2002 to 26 in 2003. Officers responded to 461 reported theft of property incidents, for an increase of 13 percent from the year before, when the number reported was 408. In each of the two years, police have cleared one-fourth or more of the thefts, clearing 151 in 2003. (...) There was also a 33 percent jump in reported vehicle thefts last year, with 16 such thefts in 2003 and 12 in 2002.

06:40 AM   

What a heartbreaker

From http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=2...4&PAG=461&rfi=9:
 
For three quarters, the Eufaula boys were on the brink of an upset.
(...) Randolph-Clay made sure that didn't happen. The Red Devils continued their recent domination of the Tigers, winning 74-56 Saturday in Shellman, Ga.
(...) Eufaula's downfall turned out to be turnovers. The Tigers committed 24.

Sounds like a great game, though. Go Tigers!

07:27 AM   

This ordinance change makes perfect sense. Eufaula is trying to revive downtown. There is nothing wrong with a restaurant being allowed to serve a glass of wine with your food. It will likely get more people to go out and eat at a real restaurant.

From http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsi...id=439676&rfi=6:
 
Council could vote Monday on a proposed amendment that, if approved, would allow alcohol sales at downtown restaurants, even if they are within 300 feet of a church. The council will meet Monday at 5:15 PM in the Eufaula Police Department courtroom (formerly city hall). The public is invited to attend.
(...) That would give downtown restaurants more flexibility in serving alcohol, but it would not allow bars or lounges, according to city officials.
Local resident Rich Daniels has already announced plans to open an Italian restaurant in a vacant Broad Street building sometime this year. It would include a period bar.
(...) A small group of Eufaula pastors came to Thursday's city council work session, asking the council not to amend the city's current ordinance regarding alcohol sales near churches.

Usually I would recommend to anyone to listen to their pastor. But not in this case. Maybe my European roots are showing? But a beer or a glass of wine is in no way detrimental to most people, and can actually have great health benefits, even though this fact is not mentioned often by the mainstream media. Alcoholics should stay away from alcohol of course, but we don't punish Dunkin' Donuts either just because its food is dangerous to some diabetics and obese people.

06:22 AM   

There are concerns that this will create a hardship on food stamp customers in the Eufaula area.

From http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=2...9&PAG=461&rfi=9:
 
Barbour County Commissioner Berry Forte is upset about the possible closing of the Eufaula Food Stamp Office. He has launched a campaign to keep it open.
(...) After a story in last week's Tribune reported that cost-cutting measures being considered by the Department of Human Resources could include closing the Eufaula office, Forte went into action. He wrote a letter to Mary Russ, director of the Barbour County DHR, stating his opposition, and he plans to lobby all the way to Montgomery to keep it from happening.
If the satellite office is closed, the only food stamp office in the county will be in the DHR building on the outskirts of Clayton, near the jail and farm center.
"I'm highly opposed, and I'm going to do all I can to keep it open. I had to work too hard to get it back over here 12 years ago," Forte said.

It's a shame to think that elderly people will have to take charter transportation to go get their stamps. The threatened closing is a result of the voting-down of the tax increase.

09:37 AM   

Great article about the mighty oak tree at the intersection of Highland Avenue, Cotton Avenue and Eufaula Avenue, that was felled by tornado-like winds in 1961.

From http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=2...7&PAG=461&rfi=9:
 
Creek Indians likely met under its cool summer branches. When Eufaula was known as Irwinton, it was an outpost of sorts and early settlers passed by it as they traveled north and over the wooden bridge that crossed Chewalla Creek.
Later, it stood sentinel before the home of Confederate Capt. John A. Walker and little girls made play houses under its canopy while little boys played marbles. When Capt. Walker's house burned, the tree survived. During the cyclone of 1919, the roots held firm.
(...) An iron fence was donated by Dr. J.L. Houston, along with a bronze plaque that bore the inscription: "The Tree That Owns Itself, deeded by the city of Eufaula to the Post Oak Tree, April 8, 1936, christened the Walker Oak May 1, 1936, 'Only God Can Make a Tree'." The fence itself was historic and according to The Tribune, it had "adorned flower gardens of long ago."
In 1961, the tree was still standing guard at the intersection of Highland Avenue, Cotton Avenue and Eufaula Avenue. Tourists often stopped to take its picture and read its inscription.
But on April 9, 1961, the long-standing tree met its match when a tornado-like wind swept through Eufaula

The article also describes the history of the replacement tree, another post oak donated by the International Paper Company.

07:21 AM   

Seems that a lot of other mischief and crime is going on due to Eufaula teens, too. Cars getting keyed, property damaged etc. Don't these kids have anything better to do?

From http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=2...9&PAG=461&rfi=9:
 
A 16-year-old male, who cannot be identified because of his age, was also arrested for similar charges. They were reportedly caught at the corner of Highland Avenue and Holleman Drive.
A witness who saw the two youths stealing the purse called Eufaula Police. They were apprehended a short time later.
Items reportedly taken from the purse included $55 in currency, make-up, a calculator, cellular phone and other items.
A 15-year-old male student at Eufaula High School was arrested and charged with stealing $200 from a student's purse last week.

08:40 AM   

Progress is being made for a good reason.

From http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsi...id=439676&rfi=6:
 
The four-laning of U.S. Hwy. 431 north of Eufaula should be completed within five years.
(...) That's what Joe McInnes, director of the Alabama Department of Transportation, told Monica Lucas during a visit to her Barbour County home on Thursday.
(...) McInnes made good on a promise to visit Lucas. Her daughter, Angel, was killed in an accident on the deadly stretch of U.S. 431 north of Eufaula in 2000.
Lucas pleaded with McInnes to finish the job on U.S. 431. Some 16 miles of two-lane road are yet to be completed between Eufaula and the recently opened Seale bypass.
McInnes said U.S. 431 remains a priority with the DOT.
"We are accelerating the work on 431," McInnes told Lucas. "I know it's important to you and others who have lost loved ones. We're going to work feverishly to get it done."

Experts estimate that the four-laning will be complete in four to five and half years.

06:07 AM   

I can see their point, and who would like to be in their shoes? However, these projects have to go somewhere.

From http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsi...id=439676&rfi=6:
 
Colson says he's seen property values slowly erode over time as a number of low-rent apartment complexes have popped up in the area around State Docks and South Randolph, bringing with them more traffic, more crime and more water problems.
(...) The traffic and the noise get worse on the weekends, as motorists come and go from the apartment complexes, often with window-rattling music blaring from their vehicles.
(...) The proposal evolved after the Eufaula Housing Authority board approved spending $50,000 last June to obtain the eight-acre piece of property. The property had been advertised for sale by owners L.C. Hines and R. H. Griswold.
(...) The Eufaula Housing Authority paid $50,000 for the property, which was then deeded to the City of Eufaula as a sort of "pass through." The city then deeded the land to the Eufaula Housing Authority's non-profit corporation.

Property owners in the area were informed way too late. They would have the right to know early on.

07:58 AM   

A great article about new baits for crappie anglers (not "crappy anglers") and more. Check it out.

From http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=2...3&PAG=461&rfi=9:
 
We had a couple of warm days a weekend or so ago, and a lot of anglers got their year off to a good start. The crappie moved up a bit and had a good bite going, and the bass were being a lot more cooperative. I look for this to be a great year for our lake.
(...) What I found was some of the neatest little critters I have ever seen designed for the pan fisherman. They have one of the most realistic earthworms I have seen, and backing that up is everything from crickets to crawfish to dragonflies.
These baits really look good, and the way they are packaged is unique as well. The angler has a choice of getting packages that include two baits with the appropriate sized hook already in place along with two replacement baits, or can opt for standard packages without the hooks.

Get yourself some and head out to the lake.

09:19 AM   

From http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=2...6&PAG=461&rfi=9:
 
A St. Francis Road resident reported theft of three oak fireplace mantles ($7,200) from near his residence between Dec. 23 and Jan. 10

It's a scary world.
c:What amazes me: Someone, somewhere out must've said at some point: "Let's go and steal these fireplace mantles!"

09:55 AM