By Christa Jennings Senior Staff Writer   Going on nine months since the south end of Coosa County was hit by a long-track EF-3 tornado on January 12, the Coosa County Long Term Recovery Committee, or LTRC, is continuing in its efforts to assist local tornado survivors. Those impacted the most are primarily in the…

Brian Johnson, Hollins assistant chief, gives a safety briefing on the trailer to participating area firefighters. Photo submitted by Heather Babecki   Area firefighters prepare to enter the Alabama Fire College “burn trailer” for hands-on training. Photo submitted by Heather Babecki     Into the inferno: Firefighters enter the “burn trailer” with live flames, intense…

Savannah Gilbert, who died in a wreck last Friday, had just recently become a registered nurse and started working at UAB’s Emergency Department earlier this month. Photo submitted   By Christa Jennings Senior Staff Writer   A two-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 8:35 a.m. last Friday, September 22, has claimed the life of an…

  Kathy McLaughlan of Loxley and her horse, George, participated in a local trail ride before wrecking on their way home. Photo submitted     The horse trailer carrying George was totaled during the wreck, with the roof being split from the trailer. Photo submitted   By Christa Jennings Senior Staff Writer   A horse…

Special to the News   Some are old, some are new, and some are torn and with stains from years of use, but the memories and beauty of quilts continue to be passed down through generations. Every quilt has a story to tell. Please bring those quilts and stories for display to the C.O.A.C.H. (Cancer…

Black bear is a protected species in Alabama   Black bears are a protected species in Alabama. Shooting at a black bear is a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a potential minimum fine of $2,000. Other penalties for attempting to take a black bear include the loss of hunting and fishing license privileges for three…

Special to the News   Last Friday the Alabama Forestry Commission, or AFC, issued a statewide Fire Alert effective immediately. While under a Fire Alert, permits for outdoor burning will be restricted. Anyone who burns a field, grassland, or woodland without a burn permit may be subject to prosecution for committing a Class B misdemeanor. This burning restriction is being…

Special to the News   Year-round, the “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign works to empower and educate the public on the importance of recognizing the signs of terrorism-related suspicious activity and how to report it to law enforcement. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has designated September 25, as “If You See Something,…