–A Jackson police officer received minor injuries during a traffic crash last Thursday near the intersection of Highway 69 and U.S. 43. The incident occurred shortly before noon, Dec. 29, between Highway 43 and McKee Drive. Garrett was patrolling in the area when he observed a driver who failed to stop at the stop sign on the exit ramp leading onto Highway 69.

–The Coffeeville Panthers participated in the Oneonta Post- Christmas Tournament. –Jackson High School’s Natasha Gamble signed a contract with the Colorado Chill.

–JHS gets new tennis courts installed by the city at the high school.

–The Health Council of Jackson’s weight loss program “Get Lost in Jackson,” which challenges the entire community to get healthier by collectively dropping 2,006 pounds in 2006, officially kicked off this Saturday at the Gillmore Elementary School walking track.

–The final architect draft for the 911 relocation project is nearly complete. Neugent said they were waiting on the plans for the heating and air conditioning. All equipment was reported to be running fine at this time.

Community marches in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. –Clarke County Commissioners voted to rescind their decision to purchase terrorist insurance. The matter was brought before the commission two weeks ago and at that time commissioners voted to purchase the policy, at $7,000 a year, which would insure the courthouse against known foreign terrorists.

–A $49,375 contract with Calvin Cassady for engineering work on the Hazard Mitigation Grant for the placement of generators at the city’s water treatment plant was approved. A $32,720 contract with Charles Sherrod for the administration of the grant was also approved. The generators are to be used to keep the plant running in case of a natural disaster, such as a hurricane.

–The council voted to name Bobby Bounds to the Jackson Industrial Board.

–Jackson kicks off the 2006 Relay for Life season at HealthActions.

–Jackson Mayor Richard Long informed members of the city council the city’s industrial board had completed the purchase of 240 acres on Highway 177 between the recreation center and U.S. 43, on the north side, for what will hopefully be the beginnings of a new industrial park. The mayor said the city will construct a 50,000 square foot spec building, which will be used in an effort to recruit new industry to the area. Funding for the project will come from a $500,000 allocation of federal funds received by the county for economic development. He said the city will probably have to put up several hundred thousand of its own money for the project as well.

Residents of Jackson sign up for “Get Lost In Jackson” weight loss program. –The old mental health center in Thomasville will be put to use again as a state agency. Gov. Bob Riley and members of the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles announced that a new LIFE Tech Center will open at the Thomasville facility. The center will be a 300-bed male facility and is expected to open in April. It will be similar in curriculum to the LIFE Tech Center in Wetumpka, which is for female inmates. The LIFE Tech Program provides an alternative to incarceration in a Department of Corrections facility, which frees bed space in prisons. The demanding program includes dealing with addictions, vocational training, and instruction in social, life and communications skills, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

Chief Burge congratulates JPD Officer of the Year, Arvis Slack. –“Dr. King was concerned about improving the quality of life,” said local pharmacist Dr. O.L. Hubert during his keynote address during the ceremony honoring civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Monday. “But there is still a lot of work to be done here in Southwest Alabama.” This year marks the 20th year of the observance of the slain evangelist’s birthday and the 19th year that a ceremony in his honor has been conducted in Jackson.

–Lieutenant Bobby Moore of the Clarke County Sheriff’s Department announced he will be a Democratic candidate for the office of Sheriff of Clarke County.

–Clarke County Probate Judge Becky Presnall announced qualifys as a Democrat for a second term.

–Clarke County Chief Deputy Donnie Arnold announced his intentions to seek the office of sheriff in the June 7 Democratic primary. Sheriff Jack Day announced he will not seek reelection.

–White Smith Memorial Library Director Debra Grayson ask the council for a portion of the tax revenues the city receives from alcohol sales to help with the facility’s building fund.

Nellie Washington and CCARC resident, Henderson Lucas –Local business owner and former Jackson city councilman Mims Hacketts announced he will seek the District 4 seat on the Clarke County Board of Education, currently held by Mae Ella Todd.

–Jay Duke announced he will be a Democratic candidate for the office of Clarke County Circuit Clerk this year. Duke is the incumbent Clarke County Revenue Commissioner and is serving in his second term. Circuit Clerk Wayne Brunson is retiring.

February

–Richard H. Harvey of Jackson announced he will be a Republican candidate for the office of Clarke County Sheriff. Harvey is a lifelong resident of Jackson, a 1992 graduate of Jackson Academy, attended Alabama Southern Community College where he studied criminal justice and is a 1996 graduate of Southwest Alabama Police Academy. Employed with the city of Jackson since 1995, he currently serves as a patrol officer with the Jackson Police Department. He also served seven years as an agent for the First Judicial Drug Task Force.

The CCARC ‘Canines on Parade’ winners. –The Strong man competition was held for the first time at the National Guard Armory in Jackson.

–The Clarke County Bulldogs win the county tournament.

–Coffeeville native Willie Slater was named head football coach at Tuskegee University.

–Detective Sgt. Mark Harrell, a 23-year veteran with the Jackson Police Department, took over reins as deputy chief Feb. 1. Harrell began his career with the department in 1983 as a patrol officer and became its lead investigator in 1996. He will continue to serve in that capacity in addition to his new duties.

–Jessica Williams, Clarke County’s Junior Miss and Tiffany Wheat, Washington County’s Junior Miss, will be leaving for the Alabama Junior Miss state competition on Friday, Feb. 10.

–Jackson Police are still searching for a Jackson man accused of molesting a 6-year-old child after the incident was reported last week by staff members at Grove Hill Memorial Hospital. Warrants were issued Jan. 29 for Willie James Rodgers following the interview of the alleged victim at the regional Child Advocacy Center in Grove Hill, according to investigating officer, Det. Mark Harrell of the Jackson Police Department.

Southern Cruisers Motorcycle Club in its annual “Cruisin’ for CCARC” ride. –Superintendent Gerald Stephens told members of the Clarke County Board of Education, that bids on the new Clarke County High School building will be opened the second week of February. "McKee and Associates have been finalizing plans and if the bids aren't right, then we won't go to market with the bond issue.

–Jackson Police Chief Charles Burge warns area residents of a telephone scam that was recently brought to the department’s attention. Burge said a Jackson resident reported that she had received a call from a man using the name Charles Godwin who stated he was with her bank. “She was told that there was a major problem with the bank’s computer and asked for her account number,” he said. “When she refused to give it to him, she said he became very demanding until she finally hung up on him.”

–Congressman Jo Bonner met with constituents at Jackson City Hall and extolled the low unemployment rate in the area. “You see a lot more ‘help wanted’ signs around than ‘going out of business’ signs,” he said. Bonner was asked by Jackson City Councilman Robert Marks about the “No Child Left Behind” law dealing with education.

Peter Hoogenboom of Salt Lake City, Utah rides through 48 states in fight against type I diabetes . –Former Jackson resident Chess Bedsole formally qualifies to run for State Auditor in the Republican Primary on June 6. Bedsole has been active in the Alabama Republican Party for years, having begun his experience working for then- Congressman Sonny Callahan. Most recently, he served as a senior advisor to Jo Bonner in his first congressional race four years ago.

–Hunters in the New Prospect area found a piece of the airplane that crashed in Wilcox County. According to Corporal Robert Hyde of the Clarke County Sheriff's Department, he received a call from Calvin Guy of Coffeeville. "Calvin told me he had what he thought was a piece of an airplane. Some hunters found it and gave it to him. At first I didn't think too much about it, but then I remembered the plane crash near Camden. Hyde and Lieutenant Bobby Moore picked up the piece, which looks like the outer covering of an airplane wing tip. It has a small red light on it. They also saw two bullet holes that went through the wing. The deputies said it appeared the wing was shot with a rifle. Lieutenant Moore contacted authorities with the Federal Aviation Administration. He was told to take the wing tip to Camden where they were investigating the plane crash.

Rev. Jim Dufriend, Jackson Citizen of the Year –Commissioners learned that the county is not eligible for the Hazardous Mitigation Grant Program because the projects submitted were not included in the National Hazardous Mitigation Plan, for August 2004 and the unincorporated areas of Clarke County are sanctioned due to nonparticipation in the national Flood Insurance Plan.

–The Clarke County Commission approved RaCON, Inc. to construct the industrial access road to the Louisiana Pacific OSB mill in the North Clarke Industrial Park. The company’s low bid was $4,278,848. Industrial Access Funds, in the amount of $4.85 million, from the state will finance the project. Rhone explained that the remaining funds would be used to pay for inspection work and other expenses. The bid is contingent upon final approval by the Alabama Department of Transportation.

Fire at Grove Apartments. –Local citizens concerned over the sale of alcohol in Jackson are joining in an effort that could overturn the Wet-Dry Referendum of last May. After a local options bill which allowed the city of Cedar Bluff to vote whether or not to become a wet city in a dry county, the Alabama Supreme Court left the case open for one year for any Cherokee County citizen to appeal and it is this appeal that is supported by the Rev. David Webb, pastor of Walker Springs Road Baptist Church in Jackson, and others. If the appeal is successful and the 1984 state law is applied, the recent wet victories in Monroeville and Jackson could be overturned, but separate appeals would have to be filed for each city. According to an article in the Feb. 2 issue of the Monroe Journal, the cost of filing the appeal in the Cedar Bluff case was $40,000. Webb said that some of the members of his congregation have been raising money to contribute to the legal fund to support the litigation that, if successful, could eventually make Jackson dry once again.

Lighting of the tree in downtown Jackson. –A new partnership between Choctaw and Clarke counties seeks to promote the two-county region for economic development. The new effort will seek new industry for the region and other improvements to develop the economy and lifestyle of the citizens of the two counties. The name of the new non-profit organization is the River Region Industrial Development Authority, a reference to the Alabama and Tombigbee rivers.

–A Jackson Relay for Life meeting is scheduled at HealthActions. All registration rosters must be turned in on this date. The event will be April 28 at New Era Cap Company.

–The Clarke County Citizens Against Litter held a Stakeholders meeting Feb. 16 at Grove Hill Town Hall. Spencer Ryan of Alabama People Against a Littered State was the guest speaker for the meeting. The organiza- tion won the Governor's Award for the county-wide 2005 clean-up.

–Jackson Police Chief Charles Burge issued a warning to parents this week concerning the use of four-wheelers on city streets and right-of-ways. “We have received numerous complaints from residents in the High Acres subdivision, on Wildwood Drive and Hoven Road about the illegal use of four-wheelers, mostly by juveniles, on the streets and right-ofways,” he said. “Use of these vehicles on public streets is strictly prohibited and these are constant problem areas of disregard for the law.”

–Jackson First Methodist Church (FMC) Minister Jim DuFriend was the man of the hour, when he was honored at the Jackson Civitan Club’s Citizen of the Year banquet. In addition to serving as minister of the church, DuFriend was nominated and chosen as this year’s recipient for his countless hours spent doing community service. He not only volunteers as a chaplain for the Jackson Police Department, but also serves on the Clarke County Department of Human Resources’ committee for child abuse victims, works with Southwest Alabama Mental Health, the Clarke County Association for Retarded Citizens (CCARC), works with the United Way, heads up local blood drives and is the current president of the Jackson Rotary Club.

–It didn’t even take an Applebee’s in Jackson for some Thomasville citizens to climb on the alcoholic beverage sales bandwagon. Apetition containing more than 350 signatures was presented to the Thomasville city council requested that the city council take steps to have local legislation passed that would allow for the sale of alcoholic beverages within the municipal limits.

March

–Court Clerk Berneta Stallworth announced she will seek the office of Clarke County Circuit Clerk on the Democratic ticket. Stallworth has been municipal court clerk for the city of Thomasville for more than 17 years. “It has always been a blessing as well as a privilege to serve the people and I enjoy being a part of the court system,” she said.

–Jackson baseball claims top spot in Tombigbee Invitational.

–Lady Aggies win the Thomasville Invitational.

–Jackson’s Jody Reeves to compete in NCAA cheer tournament.

–Aggie baseball ranked No. 6 in the state polls.

–Nick Williams announced that he will be a candidate for a full term for the Alabama House of Representatives from District 65. Williams was elected in a special election in January 2005 to fill the vacancy created by the death of Rep. Jeff Dolbare, D-Bigbee. Williams, of Sims Chapel in Washington County, is the first Republican to represent the southwest Alabama area.

–Republicans were fair game Monday during the meeting of the Clarke County Democratic Executive Committee, which was conducted to officially open qualifying for all those seeking Democratic nominations for county offices. Former Clarke County District Attorney Bobby Keahey referred to the opposing party as "occupiers," saying that the Democratic Party needed to aggressively pursue keeping control of local and state offices.

–Jackson Police Officer Arvis Slack chosen as 2006 Officer of the Year.

–March was declared Mental Retardation Month for the county. Commissioners adopted a resolution for the declaration.

–The council approved spending up to $15,000 for improvements to the softball field located at New Era Cap Company.

–A motion to approve a consultant contract with the Hal Bloom Group for $33,000 was approved. The Birmingham based company specializes in lobbying to the state legislature and U.S. Congress on behalf of its clients. The money for their services was received by the city in the form of a grant from Clarke-Mobile Gas to be used for economic development efforts.

–A $50,000 commitment was made by the council for a new athletic complex at Jackson High School. Mayor Long said the Clarke County Board of Education had approved contributing $100,000 for the project. Councilman Eddie Huggins asked if some of the earmarked alcohol revenue could be used to help pay the city's portion. Long told him that was an option if the city needed to do so. Huggins told the council that the new after school tutoring program is in full swing and is very successful.

–Paul Parham was appointed by the Clarke County Commission to serve as one of three Clarke County board members on the Clarke-Choctaw Regional Economic Development Commission. The other two Clarke County board members are Chip Harrigan and Buddy Bedwell.

–Jackson resident Robert Howell spoke on behalf to Pete Presnall, owner of P & R Spirits, Jackson's first legally operated liquor store since prohibition. He expressed disappointment with the closing of the store, due to the state operated ABC liquor store paying lower taxes, therefore allowing them to charge less for their products. Mayor Long expressed his regret that Presnall was misinformed and apologized to him for being given the wrong information. "There has been legislation introduced to change that," said Long. "Hopefully it will be successful."

–Lewis Environmental of Thomasville was the low bidder for the construction of a new combination restroom/concession stand/ticket booth at Jackson High School's Legion Field/Simpkins Stadium. The council approved a motion to accept the company's bid of $289,472.94 for the new structure. The city is committed to paying $100,000 of that, while the Clarke County Board of Education has agreed to pay $130,000 and the county recreation board will contribute $20,000, for a total of $250,000.

April

–Mayor Richard Long announced that the city was about to purchase property adjacent to city hall for a new police department complex. Council members voted unanimously to purchase the lot adjacent to the east side of city hall, along with the old Alabama Power building for $110,000. Long said the old Alabama Power building could be used in a number of ways, for a meeting place and as a storage facility for the overflow of city documents.

–Jackson beats Thomasville for the first time in 2 years in baseball.

–The Lady Aggies won the Tombigbee Classic.

–Little League baseball got underway.

–Aggies fall to Bibb County in first round of baseball playoffs.

–Commissioners agreed to allow the Clarke County Board of Education to issue bonds through the county for the construction of a new building for Clarke County High School and other capital improvement projects. The bond issue will be for $8.5 million. The levy of ad valorem taxes was approved at 6.5 percent for the state, 11 percent for the county and 15 percent for schools.

–Brandy and Andrew Champion, owners of Roundhill Pampered Pets went before the Clarke County Commission Monday morning to request their support of a county animal shelter. Mrs. Champion gave commissioners a proposal including costs for boarding stray animals.

–Spring is in the air and that can only mean one thing-the much anticipated annual celebration known as Spring Jubilee, hosted by the Clarke County Association for Retarded Citizens (CCARC) is fast approaching.

– After 41-1/2 years of serving up burgers, shakes and fries to the public, Ed Harris of Ed’s Drive-In retires. "I want to call it a day while I still have time to do some of the things I've always wanted to do," said Harris. "I want to spend more time with my grandchildren and do some traveling while I still can."

–Wayne Lathan announced his candidacy, as a Democrat, for the Alabama House of Representatives.

–Chris Bailey qualified as a Democratic candidate for circuit judge for the First Judicial Circuit. The First Judicial Circuit includes all of Clarke, Choctaw and Washington counties. Bailey was born in Jackson and grew up in St. Stephens. He attended the University of Alabama on a Presidential Scholarship and received an undergraduate degree in English. He received his law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law.

–The Jackson Fire Department was called to a mobile home fire on Murphy Street. With no one at home, a neighbor who saw the blaze, called the fire department. Assistant Chief Bobby Brooks said they had not completely determined the cause of the blaze, but it “probably was electrical. The fire seemed to have started between the two bedrooms right in the middle of the trailer,” he added.

–Clint Odom of Jackson has announced that he will seek the Republican nomination for the District 3 seat on the Clarke County Commission. Odom is currently serving a four-year term on the Clarke County Board of Education. He has served as president of the board for two of those years. He is employed by Boise Cascade, LLC as a Business Analyst.

–Stuart C. DuBose qualifies as a Democratic candidate for Circuit Judge for the First Judicial Circuit, which includes all of Choctaw, Clarke and Washington Counties. DuBose was born in Jackson and is 49. DuBose graduated high school in 1975 and received his undergraduate degrees at Auburn University in 1978, with academic honors. DuBose graduated in 1982 from the University of Alabama School of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor Degree. DuBose and his wife of 23 years, Allison, have three daughters, ages 21, 16, and 13.

–Thomas E. “Tommy” Deas, has qualified for the District 3 seat on the Clarke County Commission. Deas will be running as a Democrat and hopes to bring the same fairness and dedication to the post that his father Tom Deas had for more than 20 years.

–Jackson firefighters responded to a fire call on Ryland Pike Road just south of the William E. Stewart Airport, which burned several acres of woods along with a number of junked automobiles, while threatening the home of Felisha Baldwin. Firefighters battled the blaze, which at one point jumped the road, for at least two hours and used approximately 1,000 gallons of water.

–The Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors its annual Spring Cleanup.

–A Jackson police officer is credited with saving the life of a man following an automobile crash, but the injury threatening him was not a result of the wreck. During routine patrol, Officer Carey Slayton came upon the crash April 5, around 10:36 p.m. and observed a vehicle that had struck a power pole at College Ave. and Fairview Circle, breaking it off just inches from the ground and splintering it into several pieces. He radioed for assistance and as he exited his patrol car the driver, Jeremy Edward Thomas, 21, of Jackson, collapsed in the street. Slayton noticed that Thomas was bleeding profusely from a wound in his neck and administered first aid to the victim by applying pressure to the injury. As Thomas was being transported by JETS ambulance to Jackson Medical Center, officers received notification of a stabbing at a residence in the 600 block of College Avenue.

–Karen B. Donald qualifies as a Democratic candidate for school board, District 3 seat. A native of the Winn community and resident of Jackson, Donald is the daughter of the late Evelyn Baldwin and Robert Lee Bumpers Sr.

–The main objective of the Clarke County Association for Retarded Citizens (CCARC) is to help its clients reach the level of independence they desire, and there is no better example of the organization's success in that than Henderson Lucas of Jackson. Henderson originally began by participating in activities at the CCARC Center in Jackson nearly 10 years ago, but now only receives supportive services, because that's all he feels he needs. He holds two part-time jobs and lives on his own in Willow Trace Apartments. With the guidance of his support staff person, Nellie Washington, he does janitorial work at Forest Avenue Baptist Church and works at Hardee's where he puts up stock, cleans the windows and restrooms and takes out the trash.

–T.L Douglas of Jackson announces his candidacy for the Clarke County Board of Education, District 4 currently held by Mae Ella Todd who is retiring. He is married to the former Harriette Andrews and they have two children, Thaddeus John Zerion Douglas, 17 and Chelsia Ivee Douglas, 9.

–Jackson pharmacist Randy Guy was awarded $5.5 million in a suit against Rhode Island-based drug store chain CVS for breach of contract and fraud. The suit was heard by a jury in Clarke County Circuit Court in Grove Hill last week. The case took all week to try before Judge Harold Crow. Jackson attorneys Mac and Gaines McCorquodale represented Guy, who owns and operates Mac’s Drugs in Jackson. Grove Hill attorney Ronnie Keahey and Montgomery attorney Inge Johnston and Steve Casey represented CVS. Ashley Allard, an employee of CVS, was there on behalf of the company.

–Adomestic call before noon on Easter left two Jackson police officers injured and the suspect they were attempting to subdue, in the Clarke County Jail. Officers Kevin Brunson and Richard Harvey were treated for injuries they sustained while attempting to take Eriskey Crowell, 24, of Jackson into custody after he attacked his girlfriend. Officer Harvey was en route to the scene for backup. The two officers continued to attempt to subdue Crowell and fought across the street and back before they were able to gain control of him and place him under arrest. Both officers sustained injuries during the struggle and received treatment at Jackson Medical Center (JMC). Brunson was treated for a sprained wrist and tendon damage to his right hand. Harvey's left hand was broken in three places. Crowell was treated at JMC for elevated blood pressure. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Clarke County Jail, where he was booked on charges of third degree domestic violence and two felony counts of assault on a police officer. Roberts sustained minor injures, but refused treatment. During the struggle officer Brunson lost a radio from his belt. Chief Burge and other officers returned to the scene a short time later and recovered the radio from the residence.

–The Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring its annual Spring Clean-Up.

–The motorcycle enthusiasts from around the area converged on Jackson to join the Southern Cruisers Motorcycle Club in its annual “Cruisin’ for CCARC” ride. Each year the Southern Cruisers take part in the Clarke County Association for Retarded Citizens’ (CCARC) annual “Spring Jubilee” fund-raising celebration.

–A Jackson man died shortly after what appeared to be an accidental shooting that occurred around 3 p.m., April 19 inside a vehicle in the downtown Exxon station parking lot.

–Flora May Rimer Looper, a resident of the Jackson Health Care Facility (JHCF), celebrated her 104th birthday on April 20. She said, “My husband passed 15 years ago. We would have been married 70 years if he had lived. My daughter is deceased too, but my son, Walter Looper Jr., lives in

Jackson and he visits all the time.”

May

–Lady Eagles head to state softball tournament in Montgomery.

–JHS wins weightlifting meet in Thomasville.

–JHS Lady Eagles fell to Andalusia in the first round of softball.

–Coach Bob Bumpers got his 300th career softball win against the UMS-Wright Bulldogs.

–Last week, a man who was known to have contact with a "subject" by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, was stopped in the parking lot in front of the courthouse and held by deputies until the FBI could send an officer to question him. People known to engage in terrorist activity or to consort with those who do are considered subjects by the FBI. Mohammed Haif was spotted in Jackson purchasing all the track phones in the store from the Dollar General there. The cell phones can be used to pull signals off satellites and have been used to detonate bombs. A report was made to Clarke County 911 and dispatchers then contacted officers and gave them a description of the car, which was said to be headed to Grove Hill. Deputy Ron Baggett spotted the car, which had been reneted in Texas, and stopped it in a parking lot in front of the courthouse. Haif told Baggett he was trying to find the dollar store in Grove Hill. At this point Deputy Steve Carlisle joined Baggett in the investigation. Baggett asked why he had the phones and Haif replied that he sold them to a man in California, Mohammed Farhat, for $3 more than what each phone cost him. Baggett said he asked to search the vehicle and Haif had at least 400 track phones in the vehicle and navigational equipment. He decided to contact the FBI and agents there told Baggett and Carlisle to hold him until they could send an agent. The FBI's terrorist division sent officers to Grove Hill who interviewed Haif. He told them he did not know why Farhat wanted the phones, but that he was trying to make money. The agents told Baggett that Farhat had been under investigation for terrorist activity, but that Haif had done nothing illegal and they let him go. Baggett joked that it might have been a good idea to keep the terrorist insurance on the courthouse that Clarke County commissioners almost purchased a few months ago.

–On May 6, the Alabama Treasure Forest Association (ATFA) will be hosting a forestry festival in Grove Hill on the Clarke Prep School grounds.

–The Leroy High School football program loses a loved one. Tony Dean Howard, 48, from Deer Head died Wednesday around 4 a.m. in an area hospital. He was a retired shipper at Olin Chemical in McIntosh.He had been an athletic trainer for the Bears for the last 14 seasons. He also served as an assistant coach to Coach Phelps for the past nine seasons and Coach Blackmon before that.

–The city of Jackson is moving ahead with plans to develop a RV park at Parker Lake. The decision was given the go-ahead by a unanimous vote of the Jackson City Council during its May 11 meeting. Development of the site was spearheaded by Councilman Paul South and had been discussed during council work sessions, which are open to the public. The new park is expected to generate extra revenue for the city, eventually exceeding the $60,000 the council has committed to its development. South said the project is expected to be completed by the end of June and open to the public by the first part of July. "I visited three RV parks in this part of the state to get a feel for how this needed to be developed," he added.

–Fulfilling a lifelong dream is something many of us will never get to do. Life just simply gets in the way. But that isn't true for Peter Hoogenboom of Salt Lake City, Utah. The 46-year-old type 1 diabetic was in Jackson this past Friday, on one leg of a trip that is part of his lifelong dream. Despite his condition, Hoogenboom, who is an avid cyclist, is riding his bicycle on a trek that will take him to all 48 of the continental United States. "This is something I've always wanted to do," he said. "My brother and I had a dream of cycling across the U.S. and now that is coming true for me."

–Jackson native Dangale C. Robinson recently helped give President George W. Bush a brief overview of the innovative field of nanotechnology at Tuskegee University. Robinson, who is the daughter of Roberta and Calvin Robinson, is currently a Ph.D.

–Cindy Boykin, who has served as the principal of Jackson Intermediate School for the past six years, retired when the last school bell rang for the year.

June

–An early morning robbery of the Royal Inn in Jackson, May 24, left the motel's owner with lacerations to his head and police on the hunt for the two men accused of committing the crime. According to Police Chief Charles Burge, two black males entered the motel around 5:45 a.m. under the pretense of purchasing a room, but instead proceeded to rob the business. Emanuel Lamont Thomas, 22, and Bruce Sherman Williams, 33, both of Jackson are currently being held in the Clarke County Jail facing multiple charges.Burge said when the two men approached the counter one of them struck Hasmueh M. Ganvhi, 51, over the head with a hammer. Then they removed the cash register, which contained an undetermined amount of cash, cut the telephone lines and fled on foot. Officers responded to the scene and Ganvhi was transported to Jackson Medical Center by JETS ambulance where he was treated for his injuries and released. Officer Barry Fowler took Ganvhi's statement and description of the suspects.

–State Aviation Officer for the Alabama Army National Guard, Col. Charles A. Bonasera told those in attendance at the Memorial Day service in Jackson that despite how the national media portrays the War on Terror, America's soldiers are determined to complete the mission assigned to them. "Our military today is the best trained military this country has ever seen," he said. "Just 1/10th of 1 percent of the U.S. population serve in the military. They are very distinguished warriors who will take the fight across the world to continue the cause of freedom. Freedom isn't free. It is paid for with the lives of American soldiers. It is not guaranteed by the government, but by American soldiers. Our way of life here in the United States isn't perfect, but it is our way of life and we will fight for it."

–Former Grove Hill Town Council member Mary Golthy went before the Clarke County Commission to complain about what she called unfair treatment by a Clarke County sheriff's deputy at the polls last week. Golthy, a member of the Alabama Democratic Conference, was at the old engineer's building behind the courthouse handing out sample ballots. She told commissioners she was standing 30 feet away, as required by law, when a deputy drove up and threatened to take her to jail and forced her to move. She said she moved as she was told and then requested a Grove Hill officer come back and measure how far away from the entrance to the building they were standing. She said they had been forced to stand 57 feet away. Golthy said she had contacted the sheriff at that point and talked to him. She said she had been allowed to go back to her original position, 30 feet away from the entrance and was not harassed any more, but later when she tried to file a complaint against the deputy, Sheriff Jack Day was not in and she had not been able to get in touch with him.

–Educators and students in central Alabama will benefit from five new Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) sites. State Superintendent of Education Joe Morton today announced a new state appropriation of $15 million to fund new AMSTI sites at Troy University, The University of Alabama, University of Montevallo, Wallace State Community College-Selma with Alabama State University staff, and Jacksonville State University, in addition to the three existing sites at University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of North Alabama, and University of South Alabama.

–Jenny Stevens, a 2006 graduate of Jackson High School, was awarded the ASWA player of the year for softball.

–Jackson hosts the little league All-star game.

July

–For 42 years, 363 days a year, with only Thanksgiving and Christmas off, Jackson native Billy V. Jones, owner of Billy’s Burger House in Jackson, has risen at 4 a.m. to prepare for his daily work schedule of patting out hamburgers and slicing fresh produce for his famous “Billy burgers”. July 3, 2006, Jones retired. He sold the Burger House to Esther and Doug Simmons of Jackson. The Simmonses, originally from Deer Park, have lived in Jackson for the last 13 years. They are also the owners of the Dairy Queen on Highway 43. Mr. Simmons said he has no plans of changing anything.

–On July 19, the Jackson Police Department's communications tower was struck by lightning, taking out the radio console along with the main hub and frame. The incident occurred during a thunderstorm that afternoon, which produced severe lightning in the area. The strike also took out two of the department's computers as well as one at the municipal court, located next door. According to Deputy Chief Mark Harrell, the department's backup system was installed and up and running within 30 minutes. The citizens were never without protection. We still had telephone capabilities and radio-to-radio communications. E- 911 calls were redirected through Clarke County Dispatch."

August

–The annual Pine City Rodeo is back for its fifth season Aug. 4-5 at 8 p.m. at the Jackson Academy Rodeo Arena.

–During a work session Aug. 3, members of the Jackson City Council discussed the possibility of a full-time mayor's position for the city. Three council members are in favor of going to a full-time mayor, while Mayor Richard Long and three other council members are opposed to it. Favoring the change are councilmen Robert Marks, Daron Bolen and Eddie Huggins. Voicing opposition were councilmen Paul South, Eldridge Jackson Jr. and Anthony Jackson.

–Each year the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors the Pine City Ambassadors, Jackson's Junior Leadership Program. They are selected through an in-depth interview process in which each student's knowledge of Jackson, communication skills and leadership skills are explored.

–The annual “Battle of the Tombigbee” was conducted.

–Three Jackson Police officers were shot at following an incident in which one of the officers interrupted a suspected drug deal. According to Jackson Police Chief Charles Burge, the incident took place around midnight last Thursday, when officer Jonathan Downey was on routine patrol and observed what he believed to be a drug deal between two subjects taking place near the corner of Algiers and Commerce streets. When the officer stopped his police car, one of the two subjects fled on foot and Downey gave chase. "Officer Downey pursued the suspect to St. Union Street into a dirt parking lot," said Chief Burge. "He then realized he had left his patrol car unattended and stopped his pursuit of the subject and returned to his car. By the time he returned, the other subject had gone." While this was taking place, Sgt. Dexter Hunt and Officer Richard Harvey responded to the scene for backup. Officer Harvey and Sgt. Hunt had exited their vehicles and were speaking with the subjects under a tree when someone standing in the driveway of an abandoned house approximately 50-75 yards from the officers fired four shots in their direction. All three officers took cover, but did not return fire. The subject fled on foot and was unable to be located by the officers. During a search of the area from where the shots were fired, they found four .380 caliber shells. No arrests were made, but investigation into the incident continues.

–Following an investigation by Jackson Police, a Jackson man was arrested Friday on charges of possession of child pornography. Samuel Dossie Woodson III, 33, was taken into custody after images found on computers and discs during a search of his residence, Aug. 10, revealed what appeared to be pornographic images. According to Police Chief Charles Burge, one image found on a computer hard drive clearly depicted a child lying nude on a bed in a suggestive manner. A total of 125 compact discs and floppy discs were collected at the scene along with the two computers. The evidence was turned over to the U.S. Secret Service for analyzing.

–The Jackson Fire Department announced Fire Prevention Court. Members of the court (L-R) are Maid Clara DuBose, a senior at Jackson Academy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stuart DuBose; Maid Emily Allen, a senior at Jackson High School, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Allen; Maid Kayla Coleman, a senior at Jackson Academy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Coleman; Maid Caryn Horsley, a senior at Jackson High School, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Horsley; Queen Laura Rotch, a senior at Jackson Academy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Rotch.

September

–Jackson Mayor Richard Long reported that the city had received a request from the state for a list of industrial sites in Jackson that meet the EADS Project specifications. Earlier this year, EADS North America announced it had chosen Mobile’s Brookley Industrial Complex as as the site for its KC-330 advanced tanker U.S. production facility. Jackson is currently developing a new industrial park on Highway 177, which will include a 50,000 square foot spec building. The new park will have access to the city’s water and sewer system.

–After Oct. 1, life will get a whole lot different for Jackson High School Principal Robert Hagood. The top administrator at the school will retire and begin a new phase in his life. “I’ve been going to school since 1954,” said Hagood. “That’s a long time. It’ll be good to sleep in for a change.” Hagood has walked the halls of JHS for 17 years. He spent a total of 35 years as an educator.

October

–The Jackson Fire Department kicks off Fire Prevention Week.

–Forty plants and nearly six pounds of dried marijuana were seized Friday afternoon on the Pleasant Hill Road in Thomasville. The arrest of William Robert Williams for trafficking in cannabis and manufacturing a controlled substance led to the discovery of the crop by Task Force One agents.

–During his report to the council, Mayor Long said Walgreens Corporation announced last week that they would build a store in Jackson on the site of the old National Guard Armory on College Avenue. “This is tremendous news and we welcome Walgreens as our future corporate citizen,” said Long.

–Oct. 10, the Jackson City Council approved a motion to accept the low bid submitted by Hub Construction Company of Jackson, for the construction of the new Jackson Police Complex. Hub submitted a low bid of $1,108,693. Other bidders were Hughes Construction, who bid $1,132,000 and Henry Construction Company, who submitted a bid of $1,181,000. The new police department has been in the planning stages for more than a year now. It will be located next to city hall beside the old Alabama Power building. The city purchased the property with the intent to build the complex there. Mayor Richard Long said the city hopes to see the project completed by July 4, 2007.

–A Jackson man was arrested last week and charged with breaking into the Jackson Sawmill. Jack Overcasher, 26, is accused of an attempting to burglarize the sawmill in the early morning hours of Oct. 3.

–Jackson High School’s McCorquodale Auditorium was the scene Oct. 10, for a local political forum, in which Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley, Democratic candidate for governor led off. Although the crowd was sparse, Lucy did not let that dampen her fervor as she lit into Bob Riley for not keeping his 2002 campaign promises to the people of Alabama.

–It was announced during a council meeting that Jackson City Councilman Anthony Jackson has been called into active duty by the U.S. Army. Jackson currently holds the rank of second lieutenant, but is receiving a promotion to first lieutenant upon his activation and serves as a logistics quartermaster. Serving as one of two councilmen who represent District 1, Jackson and his wife, Tiffany have three children, Destiny, 11, Dekendren, 9 and Domanek, 4. He is currently employed by Wal-Mart as a manager and also owns and operates the Ace Learning Center, which specializes in preparing students for the GED (General Education Diploma) exam and offers tutoring services for school-age children

–The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that the Alabama State Bar Association’s disciplinary commission did not penalize Jackson attorney and Democratic circuit judge nominee Stuart DuBose severely enough for his involvement in the preparation of a will for a man he never met. The bar had accepted a “conditional guilty plea” from DuBose and imposed a 45-day law license suspension that would have started the day after the Nov. 7 general election when he would formally be elected to the First Judicial Circuit judgeship. The suspension would have ended in late December, weeks before he takes office on Jan. 15. The bar must revisit the case. The Supreme Court reviews all disciplinary actions taken by the bar against attorneys and must approve or reject the actions.

November

–Election Day 2006 was Nov. 7, with a number of local races in the forefront. Republicans and Democrats will battle it out for several county seats, perhaps the biggest being the sheriff’s office, which is being vacated by Jack Day, who announced he would not seek re-election at the beginning of the year. Vying to replace Day are Republican Gene Wiggins, who is currently an Alabama State Trooper and the Democratic candidate, longtime Clarke County Deputy Bobby Moore. Both have pledged to bring dignity to the office and continue to combat the ever-growing drug problem in the area.

–Former U.S. Marine and Purple Heart recipient John Konopka, currently of Jackson, said he wants to return to the battlefield in Iraq to fight for his country. Konopka, a native of Charleston, NC, is engaged to be married to Amanda Savage of Jackson on Nov. 11. He has reenlisted in the U.S. Military and will return to active duty around the middle of December. The former Leroy High School student (1995-1999) first went to Iraq in January of 2005 as a member of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, 38th Weapons Company. He has joined the U.S. Army as a member of the 82nd Airborne and will be stationed at Ft. Bragg, N.C., where he expects to receive orders to return to the war in Iraq.

–Jackson City Council approved a measure to contribute up to $2 million to the city’s Industrial Development Board for construction of a 50,000 square foot building for the expansion of New Era Cap Company. The company announced publicly, last month, its intentions to expand, eventually adding at least 100 more jobs at the facility, which currently employs approximately 350 people.

“–A tanker truck crashed on U.S. Highway 43, north of Jackson, keeping police and firefighters busy directing traffic and conducting cleanup efforts for 13- 1/2 hours. According to investigating officer, Norman “Buzzy” Jordan, of the Jackson Police Department, the wreck occurred when the driver of a 1999 Freightliner, Kenneth E. Sullivan, 50, of Mt. Vernon, left the road on the northbound side of the highway, overturned and slid for approximately 234 feet. Jordan said Sullivan, who was in the left northbound lane, apparently topped the hill past New Era Cap Co. and changed lanes to avoid a motorist who had either slowed or stopped to make a left turn. After changing lanes, the caustic alkalis liquor (black liquor) it was hauling shifted in the tanker, causing Sullivan to run off the side of the road and lose control of the truck. Along with Jackson Police, trucks 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Jackson Fire Department also responded to the scene. According to Assistant Fire Chief Bobby Brooks, the tanker only lost about two gallons of its load. “We were lucky,” he said. “Although the substance isn’t that harmful to the environment, it was heated to 170 degrees, which could have been very dangerous if a person had come into physical contact with it.” Clarke County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Roy Waite also responded to the scene to address any possible environmental issues. A hazardous materials team was contacted, but was not required to respond once it was determined that such a small amount of the load had been spilled.

–Jon Luke Jacobs, a senior at Jackson High School, signed with Auburn University to play baseball, beginning in the fall of 2008.

–Boise has filed an appeal in Clarke County Circuit Court seeking to reduce its taxes by reducing $297 million in appraised values of certain parts of the Jackson paper mill. The corporate owner of the mill, Boise White Paper, LLC, filed the civil suit last week, apparently on the last day that it could appeal a decision of the Clarke County Board of Equalization. "In support of its appeal, Boise states that the appraised value affixed by the Board [of Equalization and Adjustment] does not accurately reflect the true fair market value of the subject property," the filing reads in part. Boise's legal filings state that Clarke County Revenue Commissioner mailed notices of changes in assessments Aug. 25. Boise contested and a hearing was set before the Board of Equalization and Adjustment, a panel that hears challenges to tax bills. Revenue Commissioner Jay Duke said he acts as secretary to the board, which normally consists of three Clarke County citizens. Joe Merida is a member and chairman.

–Thanks to the quick action of Jackson Police Officer Jonathan Downey, five people were rescued from a fire that heavily damaged two units at the Grove Apartments early Saturday morning. According to Jackson Police Chief Charles Burge, Downey responded to a report of a fire at the Grove Apartments around 4:30 a.m., Nov. 18. When he arrived on the scene he was told that people were still inside the burning units. Downey ran to the back of apartment H-2 and was able to awaken the four occupants. After leading them to safety through a sliding glass door, he then ran to apartment H-4, where he could see a female trapped inside. The officer assisted the woman in exiting through a window in the rear of the apartment. The Jackson Fire Department responded to the scene with trucks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Chief Neal Bradley and Assistant Chief Bobby Brooks also responded. According to a fire department spokesperson, one unit was a total loss. Firefighters reportedly fought the fire for approximately three hours. No injuries were reported as a result of the blaze.

–Fulton's K-9 unit, Big Red, was the hero for the night when he helped capture a man wanted for burglarizing two camp houses. Hill was last seen running behind the pastorium at Salem Hill Church. Big Red was given Hill's shirt and then began tracking. He first found Hill's shoes and then found Hill crawling through the brush behind the church. Once he was caught Hill informed the officers, "You wouldn't have never caught me if you hadn't had that big old dog." Hill allegedly took a deer skinning rack, heated socks, a heater and allegedly attempted to take a bag of kitchen utensils from the camp houses which were burglarized. His bond was set at $62,500.

December

–The citizens of Jackson will not be voting on whether or not to have a full-time mayor anytime soon after the issue died in a tie vote. A tie vote of 3-3 caused the issue to fail, with councilmen Marks, Daron Bolen and Eddie Huggins voting in favor of it and councilmen Paul South, Eldridge Jackson Jr. and Mayor Richard Long voting against it.

–A group of local Republicans is scrutinizing the practices of the Clarke County Republican Executive Committee concerning what it calls violations of the state committee’s bylaws and is looking to have the current committee revamped or replaced. Billy Dukes, of Jackson, is serving as spokesperson for the group.

–Destin and Caleb Crosby attended the White House Christmas party on Dec. 6, 2006. The White House Red Room was the inspiration for the 2006 holiday theme, “Deck the Halls and

Welcome All”.

Editor’s Note: Jeremy Sellers

contributed sports nformation.