Train Derailment in Bear Creek

HBTV

A Norfolk Southern Train derailed at around 12:15 p.m. Thursday afternoon in downtown Bear Creek. The cause of the derailment is unknown at this time but under investigation. The train was 76 cars long, and about 13 of the cars left the track.  The train was carrying hazardous materials, but luckily the cars that were overturned were empty.

Phillips Elementary and High Schools were evacuated according to plans that were in place for any derailment. All children and teachers were safely transported to St. Paul Baptist Church on County Highway 79. About four square blocks of Bear Creek was evacuated for safety precautions, and the evacuations went very well and without any major issues.

The Bear Creek Police Department, Bear Creek Fire Department, Haleyville Police Department, Haleyville Fire and Rescue, Alabama Department of Public Safety, Alabama Department of Transportation, Hackleburg Fire and Rescue, Marion County Sheriff's Department, Phil Campbell Rescue Squad, Phil Campbell Fire Department, East Franklin Fire Department, Delmar Fire Department, Blue Springs Fire Department, Marion County EMA, Winston County EMA, Franklin County Haz-Mat, RPS Ambulance Service, and the Alabama Fire Marshall's Office responded to the call and took appropriate measures to ensure the safety of the town and the first responders.

The Bear Creek Water Department shut down the water until it was deemed safe for use, but no issues were found with the water supply.

State Highway 13 was shut down for several hours but was reopened once the area was secure and the area was deemed safe for travel.  Crews remain on the scene at this time, and sightseers are asked to steer clear of the area to allow crews room to work and to ensure their safety.  

Stay tuned to Paradise 92.7 and HBTV for all details as this story continues.

Incentive Package Passes

Sam Poe

The Haleyville City Council met Wednesday morning, and all council members were present.  The meeting opened with the approval of minutes from the last session of the council as well as minutes from the May 9, 2013 work session. Next, the general operational expenditures for the month of April were approved in the amount of $400, 961.44.

Then, the council discussed the incentives package requested from Action Properties. The guidelines were read, and the package was passed by the city council with a 4-2 vote.  Jonathan Bennett and Royce Benefield voted no on this matter.  Next, the council voted to approve a change order for the airport grant.  In total, there will be about a $700 difference from the previously passed amount.  However, these changes are required to meet FAA guidelines. The action passed unanimously. 

In a previous council meeting, the council approved application for a grant to fund drainage and paving issues as well as debris removal in Cummings Subdivision. These issues were the result of the April 27, 2011 tornadoes.  Mayor Ken Sunseri stated that in order for the city to apply for this $500,000 grant, the city will first have to prepare the design and engineering work.  This will likely cost the city around $37,000.  No action was taken on this matter in today's meeting but will be discussed on a later date. 

Jim Eichelberger of Action Properties closed the meeting with a statement to those in attendance.  He stated that he, as a representative of Action Properties, is excited that the action passed in today's vote and stated that Action Properties is looking forward to moving forward with the project. Action Properties now is able to complete the option to purchase the previous Wal-Mart property.  Eichelberger stated he hopes to have more solid details and a time frame available by the next Haleyville City Council Meeting. 

The meeting was adjourned. 

Personnel Actions by BOE

Sam Poe

The following personnel actions were approved by the Haleyville City Board of Education at Tuesday night's meeting.

 -Approval to hire Vicki Bishop, Julie Brooks, Bettie Creel, Beverly Donaldson, Heather Evans, Elaine Tank, Julie Wilcoxson, and Robin Wilson as teachers for the 2013 21st Century Summer School Program at HES

-Approval to hire Rachel Blanton and Ken Loveless as part time bus drivers for the 21st Century 2013 Summer School Program

-Approval to hire Kaci Bailey, Emily Cornelius, Morgan Miller, Alli O'Rear, Emma O'Rear, Emma Rains, Olivia Tank, Karlie Taylor, and Chloey Tolbert as student aides for the 2013 21st Cetnury Summer School Program

-Approval to hire Ashley Adamson, Kaci Bailey, Ashley Blanco, Hunter Bales, Winston Barton, Emily Cornelius, Lance Hamby, Julie Johnson, Ivon Marchan, Morgan Miller, Paris Nelson, Emma O'Rear, Morgan Page, Emma Rains, Cielo Roblero, Olivia Tank, Karlie Taylor, and Chloey Tolbert as the 21st Century Program student aides for the 2013-2014 school year

-Approval to hire Vicki Bishop, Angie Bragwell, Julie Brooks, Bettie Creel, Beverly Donaldson, Heather Evans, Steve Spiller, Elaine Tank, Julie Wilcoxson, Senn Williams, and Robin Wilson as teachers and Lisa Emerson as substitute teacher for the 21st Century Program for the 2013-2014 school year.

 -Approval to hire Kelley Hubbard as Alternative School Teacher and Girls Head Basketball Coach for 2013-2014 school year

-Approval to hire Jesse Lyon as Computer Tech Assistant effective June 1, 2013 for the 2013-2014 school year (This is a 12 month position.)

-Approval to hire Michael T. King as Probationary Principal (pending negotiation of contract) at HHS for the 2013-2014 school year

-Approval to hire Richard "Bo" Wilcoxson as Probationary Principal (pending negotiation of contract) for HMS for 2013-2014 school year

[READ MORE]

Board of Education Meeting

Sam Poe

The Haleyville City Board of Education met Tuesday evening with all members present. The meeting was called to session, and the agenda and minutes from the previous meeting were approved.

The first item on the agenda was the election of Board of Education Officers.  Beth McAlpine was elected as the President of the Board of Education, and Kris Burleson will serve as the Vice President. The vote on these nominations passed with four votes, with McAlpine and Burleson abstaining from voting in their repective elections. 

New business was discussed as follows:

-Approval to use the HHS football stadium for a music concert sponsored by Unshaken Ministries, Inc. June 7-8, 2013

-Approval for adoption of state adopted textbook list for English Language Arts

-Approval for using the HES cafetorium for the Winston County Sports Hall of Fame July 20, 2013

-Approval for Mitzi Petty for out of state travel June 19-22, 2013 for the "Wired Differently Conference"

-Approval for Mike Batchelor and students to take a field trip to Kansas City, Missouri June 23-29, 2013 for the Motorcycle and Diesel Competition

-Approval for use of HES parking lot and HHS track by Lakeland Community Hospital for a 5K and Fun Walk in conjunction with the Haleyville 9-1-1 Festival May 31-June 1, 2013

-Approval for summer school at HES 

-Approval for Dr. Alan Miller to sign checks at all Haleyville City Schools in the absence of one of the designated signatories

-Approval of the second amendment to the FY 2013 Budget

-Approval of Dylan Burleson as a volunteer basketball coach for the 2013 summer (Kris Burleson abstained from the vote due to a conflict of interest.)

-Approval of four fundraisers to benefit the Auto Technology Club and volleyball teams

A variety of personnel issues were also approved at the Board of Education Meeting.  Those names and positions will be released by Dr. Alan Miller and the Haleyville City Board of Education later this week. Upon release, the story will be available on Paradise 92.7 and www.hbtv.us. Please check back for further details. 

Lady Lions Win State!

Sam Poe

The Haleyville Lady Lions competed in the 4A State Softball Tournament Thursday and Friday. The Lady Lions first faced Charles Henderson High School Thursday morning.  The Lady Lions defeated the Lady Trojans and then faced Cherokee County in Round 2. Haleyville defeated Cherokee County to advance to Day 2 of state play undefeated.  The Lady Lions then defeated Central of Florence Friday morning to send the Wildcats to the losers' bracket and to secure their own place in the state championship game. Because the Lady Lions were undefeated entering the championship game, they had to be defeated twice to finish in second place.  The Alabama Christian Eagles defeated the Lady Lions in Game 1 of the championship, but the Lady Lions pounced on the Eagles early in Game 2 to win the state title with a score of 8-0. 

The title was truly an act of team plays, but some players made a real impact on the outcome.  Three Lady Lions were named to the 4A All State Team.  Those ladies were Callie Pendley and Allie O'Rear.  Holly Ward was also named Most Valuable Player of the tournament for the second year in a row. O'Rear had her career best performance in the tourney and made several key plays in each game, including several outstanding hits and RBIs.  Ward was the sole pitcher throughout the tournament but was also a key hitter, including a stand up double and a home run in the final championship game. C. Pendley continued to show her talent with slap bunts and stolen bases. Tori Pendley also added a home run against Charles Henderson, along with several key plays at first base, and AnnaLaine Godsey laid down a bunt to advance runners to secure a victory. Perri Gilbert, Payten Townsend, Lacey Burleson, and Macy West added important hits when the Lady Lions needed them the most.  Sydney Kiser also did a great job behind plate, while adding big hits in the final championship game. 

Haleyville High School is the first public school to earn back to back state titles in 4A Fastpitch Softball.  They also ended their season with a 45-13 record, which is the most wins in a single season in HHS history. Congratulations, Lady Lions!

For photos of Haleyville vs. Charles Henderson, [CLICK HERE].

For photos of Haleyville vs. Cherokee County, [CLICK HERE].

For photos of Haleyville vs. Central of Florence, [CLICK HERE]. 

For photos of the First Championship Game vs. Alabama Christian, [CLICK HERE].

For photos of the 2013 Final Championship Game vs. Alabama Christian, [CLICK HERE].

Car vs Tree

Harold Bearden

Just after 4 a.m. Sunday, Terry Mann, 53 of Bear Creek lost control of his Pontiac Firebird in a curve on Goddard Road behind Harden Manufacturing in Bear Creek. Mann's car left the road and struck a tree virtually distroying the vehicle and knocking the bark off the tree. He was ejected from the vehicle upon impact with the tree and found a short distance away in the woods. Fog kept helicopters grounded and Terry was transported to Birmingham by ambulance. His condition is unknown, but he was talking to members of the Bear Creek Fire and Rescue when he was brought to the ambulance. 

3rd Annual Mark Forester Price of Freedom Race

Sam Poe

The third annual Mark Forester Price of Freedom Race is set for Saturday morning. Mark was a Haleyville native who was killed in action in Afghanistan in September 2010. His family and friends have set up the Mark Forester Foundation in memory of Mark and the price he paid for American freedom. The foundation donates a $2,000 scholarship to a senior at Haleyville High School each year. This year's recipient, Trey Williams, is pictured in the photo on the left. Also pictured is Thad Forester, Mark's brother. 

The Price of Freedom race will include a 5K race as well as the annual birthday memorial walk. Each year the walk is increased by one mile, according to the age Mark would have been on his birthday of that year. The Forester family celebrated Mark's 32nd birthday May 15, 2013. There will also be multiple children's activities set up at the event, as well as the Welcome Home Heroes Traveling Tribute from California. For more information or for a schedule of events, please visit www.markaforester.com. 

Thank you, Mark for your unwavering service to the United States of America. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.