30 years ago in CCN history
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Thirty years ago: Sally Holland, chair of the Coosa County Soil and Water Conservation District, presents a Soil Conservation District award to Lee Wilder in recognition of his support.
Thirty years ago: Sally Holland, chair of the Coosa County Soil and Water Conservation District, presents a Soil Conservation District award to Blake Kelley in recognition of his support.
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
Demonstrating its continued commitment to local coverage, “The Coosa County News” 30 years ago featured a great deal of community news and happenings in the June 10, 1993, edition.
That week’s edition highlighted awards the Coosa County 4-H team received while competing in the state forestry competition. In overall competition, the Coosa 4-H Senior Team; comprised of Ryan Shurette, Phillip Neighbors, Jessica Kelley, and Heather Neighbors; placed second in that 1993 competition.
In individual competitions, Bryan Wood, Phillip Neighbors and Jessica Kelley were also recognized for receiving various honors and placing in assorted competitions.
That edition also highlighted that four families from Coosa County were traveling to Florida City, Florida, to aid victims of Hurricane Andrew. Those who traveled to provide assistance from Coosa County were Nick and Lettie Bringas, Lee and Dana Wilder, Wayne and Sandra Steverson, and Edsel Hughes.
Three decades ago the newspaper also covered the Sheriff’s Office’s participation in the 1993 Alabama Marijuana Eradication Program. Then Sheriff Bill Evans reported that they had located 218 plants in different locations in Hanover, Blue Springs, Marble Valley, and Barrett’s Fish Camp, noting that the plants would have been worth approximately $436,000 at maturity.
The article mentioned that the program is conducted annually by area and went on to explain that in the spring law enforcement officials typically locate crops in the early stages of production, with only limited value at the time. It was stated at that time that late in the summer the crops are more mature and worth approximately $2,000 per plant.
In comparison, it was noted that in 1992 the operation in Coosa County resulted in 986 plants valued at $1.9 million being destroyed in July and, in the largest find ever in Coosa County at the time, 3,031 plants valued at $6,062,000 were destroyed in August.
Other community highlights from that edition 30 years ago included work proceeding on the medical offices by Rockford Properties – the same building that now houses Accordia Health and the Coosa County Health Department – and Douglass McConnell II being presented a plaque from Ray volunteer firefighter and vice president of the Coosa County Association of Volunteer Firefighters Tommy Peters in recognition of the support provided by the Rockford Men’s Club.
It also highlighted that Rockford School cheerleaders held a bake sale in Rockford that week to raise money for their uniforms, with each uniform costing “more than $200.” Cheerleaders participating in the fundraiser were Crystal Davis, Jodi Stallions, Beverly Ogle, April Justice, and Amanda Ellison.
Additionally, the June 10, 1993, edition featured Sally Holland, chair of the Coosa County Soil and Water Conservation District, presenting Soil Conservation District awards to Lee Wilder and Blake Kelley. The awards were presented to recognize Kelley’s and Wilder’s support given to the Soil and Water Conservation District.
See other highlights of 30 years of “The Coosa County News” periodically in future editions throughout the year as we continue to celebrate three decades of dedicated local news coverage, honoring “The Coosa County News” first being published May 20, 1992.