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The Cullman Tribune
Obituary: Joel Franklin Moon
Funeral service for Joel Franklin Moon, age 88, of Crane Hill, will be Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 12 p.m. at Cullman Funeral Home chapel. Visitation will be held at the chapel from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and interment will be at Mt. Hope Baptist Cemetery in Crane Hill, AL. Cullman Funeral Home is honored to serve the family. Joel was born January 21, 1936, to Milford Gordon Moon and Verdie Azalee McSwain Moon. He passed away on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at his residence. He is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Margaret Brown Moon; one son, Frank Moon; brother, Oliver Moon (Ruby); sister, Willodean Lindley (husband Ernest, deceased); five grandchildren, Dallas Moon (fiancé, Joann Foley), Dalton Moon, Courtney Martin (Bradly), Kaitlyn Franklin, Vanessa Franklin; four great-grandchildren, Presley Moon, Jesse Martin, Elizabeth Martin, and Ashton Franklin; and a host of family and friends. Joel is described as by those closest to him, as a simple family man. He adored his family and was always happy and smiling. He will be missed so much.
Commission approves purchase of road equipment
CULLMAN, Ala. – At its August meeting, the Cullman County Commission ended months of discussions surrounding the Cullman County Road Department and its aged and deteriorating equipment. As discussed at its July meeting, the road department has been in need of major equipment upgrades including shoulder machines, tractors and other various machinery. At that time, the commission chose to table the needs until further discussion and research could be done. In the July meeting, Cullman County Engineer Philip Widner said, “Some of the equipment we have is 25, some of it is 30 years old. So, they’re getting to the end of...
Long-Lewis acquires Cullman’s Eckenrod Ford Lincoln
CULLMAN, Ala. – The Long-Lewis Automotive Group, effective Aug. 12, 2024, acquired Eckenrod Ford Lincoln in Cullman. The official name of the dealership is Long-Lewis Ford Lincoln of Cullman. Long-Lewis purchased all assets, including the real estate, and will also retain all Eckenrod employees. This adds about 50 additional employees to the Long- Lewis Automotive Group, bringing the total employee count to approximately 900. Long-Lewis now has 11 dealerships in eight cities across the state – four Fords, three Lincolns, Chevrolet, Volkswagen, Mitsubishi and a Pre-Owned Vehicle and Ford Parts & Service Center. “We are very excited about this opportunity,” said Wade...
Obituary: Sherry Boone-Nelson
A memorial service for Sherry Boone-Nelson, 67, of Hanceville, will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, at Hanceville Funeral Home Chapel. Sherry, a beloved member of our community, was born on March 1, 1957 in Cullman, AL and passed away peacefully on Aug. 13, 2024, in Boaz. A proud resident of Hanceville, Sherry was known for her support of Alabama football, often seen cheering for the Crimson Tide. Sherry had a lifelong passion for classic cars and was a regular attendee at car shows, where she could often be found admiring history of these cars. This love for automobiles was not just a hobby, but a way...
Obituary: Chris Trimble
Chris Trimble, age 58, of Bremen, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 11, at UAB Hospital. There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, Aug. 24, at 1 p.m. at Chris’s residence: 100 County Road 108. The family asks all Chris’s family and friends to please come and celebrate his life with them. All are welcome and they ask you please continue to keep them in your prayers. Cullman Funeral Home is honored to serve the family. Chris was born November 2, 1965, to Erston Daniel Trimble, Jr. and Anna Ruth Redwine. He is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Eilts-Noe; brothers Lenn Trimble (Darlene), Barry Trimble, and Darrell Trimble; sister, Melanie Perry; special friend, Samantha Jones; a host of nieces and nephews and family and friends. Please visit www.cullmanfuneralhome.com to sign the online guestbook.
Arrests and Incidents reported August 15, 2024
CULLMAN, Ala. – Below are the arrests and incidents reported August 15, 2024. All persons are innocent until proven guilty. GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear Cullman County Sheriff’s Office Incidents August 12 assault; CR 1643 burglary; CR 1025 possession of drug paraphernalia; Hwy. 157 burglary; CR 725 domestic violence; Hwy. 278W harassment; CR 1643 trespassing; CR 359 unlawful possession of controlled substance; possession of drug paraphernalia; Hwy. 278W August 13 domestic violence; CR 532 domestic violence; CR 1564 theft of property; Hwy. 278W domestic violence; CR 35 burglary; Colony Rd. theft of property; Short Rd. unlawful breaking and entering motor vehicle; CR 1807 harassing communications; CR 1043 theft of property; Mercury Dr. burglary; School House Rd. domestic violence; CR 310 resisting arrest;...
Cullman City Council holds water, sewer, sanitation rates steady for 2nd year
CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman City Council voted on Monday to hold the city’s water, sewer and sanitation rates at their current levels for residential customers.“For the second year in a row, we are going to be able to waive the inflation adjustment, so there’ll be no increase in water or sewer, sanitation for residential customers this coming year,” said Councilman and Utilities Committee Chairman David Moss.The council also approved resolutions to:• Renew a three-year lease agreement with United Way of Cullman County for a property at 104 Austin Ave. SW near Art Park; United Way previously occupied the old...
St. Paul’s inaugural golf tournament set for Sept. 14
CULLMAN, Ala. – St. Paul’s Lutheran School will host its inaugural golf tournament Saturday, Sept. 14, at Cross Creek Golf Course. Golfers and teams are welcomed to the course to register for the tournament prior to the 8 a.m. tee-time. Registration will begin at 7 alongside a complimentary morning fill-up by way of a provided breakfast for each registered golfer. The cost to compete in the tournament is $100 per player and $25 per mulligan (with a limit of two per player). Single players or teams of less than four will be placed into teams of four through a player scramble. Breakfast...
PREP FOOTBALL: Cold Springs ready to hit the field this fall
BREMEN, Ala. — August is here, which means schools is back in session, fall weather is on the way and all of our local football teams are gearing up for yet another season under the lights. Brendan Voce will be going into his third season as head coach of the Cold Springs Eagles. Cold Springs finished with a 4-6 record last season, and coach Voce has got a lot of experience coming back on both sides of the ball. He’s proud of the work his team put in during this year’s summer program and how the roster has come together for...
Cullman City Schools among best in Alabama in state rankings
CULLMAN, Ala. – According to state testing in English/Language Arts, Math and Science from the 2023-2024 school year, Cullman City Schools remains in the Top 10 academically compared to the more than 100 districts across the state. The rankings and results factor in student performance in tests such as the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP), ACT and Alternative Assessment.Cullman City Schools had the fourth highest scores in the state with 77.8% of students proficient or advanced in English/Language Arts; eighth highest in the state with 60.5% of students proficient or advanced in Mathematics; and fifth highest in the state with...
Good Hope City Council adopts 4 new Resolutions, reports successful Back-to-School Bash
GOOD HOPE, Ala. – Good Hope’s City Council held its first August meeting at Good Hope City Hall Monday night and adopted four new resolutions. Resolution No: 017-2024 was the annual resolution to adopt the transportation plan pursuant to the Rebuild Alabama Act and Resolution No: 018-2024 authorized the city to enter into a contract for architectural services for the new multi-use storm shelter project. Resolution No: 019-2024 will allow the city to enter into a professional service agreement with Waggoner Engineering, Inc. for Site Civil, Stormwater, Ingress-Egress, Parking Design & Construction Support Services at the multi-use storm shelter/community center and Resolution...
Kerry Watson will not seek re-election to Cullman County Commission
CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman County Commissioner for District 1, Kerry Watson, announced Tuesday, Aug. 13, that he will not seek re-election in 2026. He made the announcement during the commission meeting. “I have been very blessed to serve Cullman County and I have enjoyed serving Cullman County. But at this time, I’m announcing that I will not be seeking another term,” Watson said. Elected initially in 2014, Watson won the popular vote over incumbent Darrell Hicks by a slim margin – 51.97% to Hicks’ 48.03%. Watson said he strived to be a hands-on official who was always reachable and relatable. Throughout campaigns and his tenure with the commission, he has been open with his faith, citing a verse from the Proverbs to help him through this transitional phase. “This morning I was doing my morning devotional. Proverbs 16:9 says, ‘A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord plans his steps,’” an emotional Watson said. “So at this time, I’d like to thank everybody for allowing me to serve in this position and I look forward to being involved in Cullman County somewhere down the line.” Copyright 2024 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Former Baileyton Mayor Johnny Dyar pleads guilty to using office for personal gain
CULLMAN, Ala. – Former Baileyton Mayor Johnny Dyar on Wednesday pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of use of office for personal gain. The dates of the offenses were between June 16 and July 21, 2019. Dyar received 12 months for each count. These sentences were suspended, and Dyar was placed on probation for 24 months per charge. He is required to pay a $2,500 fine, all court costs and restitution to the Town of Baileyton in the amount of $4,193.25. Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker said Dyar was also given conditions with his plea agreement/probation. According to the stated terms of the plea agreement on Alacourt, Dyar cannot directly work for or be employed by any public government entity during the four-year probationary period. He also had to answer in open court to establish a factual basis for his guilt. Last, he had to issue a public apology. “This happened in 2019,” Crocker said. “We are working hard to clear the backlog of cases we inherited upon taking office last year. This settlement meets our priorities, which were justice, accountability and fully compensating the Town of Baileyton with restitution.”
(Updated) 1 dead following incident at Rusken Packaging
Updated Aug. 14, 2024, at 9:44 p.m. Cullman County Coroner Jeremy Kilpatrick on Wednesday night confirmed that Doug Cordes, 48, of Vinemont, passed away following a medical emergency while driving a forklift at Rusken Packaging. Kilpatrick stated Cordes did fall from the forklift, but the fall was due to a medical emergency. He stated as of now the cause of death is listed as a heart attack. City of Cullman Public Safety Director Brian Bradberry shared, “Please keep the family and everyone involved in your thoughts and prayers.” Original story below CULLMAN, Ala. – One person died at Rusken Packaging early Wednesday evening. Just...
(Updated) 1 dead following incident at Rusken Packaging
Updated Aug. 14, 2024, at 9:44 p.m. Cullman County Coroner Jeremy Kilpatrick on Wednesday night confirmed that Doug Cordes, 48, of Vinemont, passed away following a medical emergency while driving a forklift at Rusken Packaging. Kilpatrick stated Cordes did fall from the forklift, but the fall was due to a medical emergency. He stated as of now the cause of death is listed as a heart attack. City of Cullman Public Safety Director Brian Bradberry shared, “Please keep the family and everyone involved in your thoughts and prayers.” Original story below CULLMAN, Ala. – One person died at Rusken Packaging early Wednesday evening. Just...
Obituary: Bill Ballew
Funeral Service for Bill Ballew, age 49 of Cullman, will be at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, August 16, 2024, at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home with Bro. David Chambers officiating; burial at Antioch Baptist Cemetery- Fairview. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. on Friday, August 16, 2024, at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home. Cullman Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Ballew passed away on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at his residence. He was born February 15, 1975, to Herbert Ballew and Judy Ballew. He was preceded in death by Father, Herbert Ballew and wife, Krysta Ballew Survivors include his daughter, Adeline Ballew; mother, Judy Ballew; a host of aunt, uncles, cousins, family and friends and his family of Brindlee Mountain High School.
Arrests and Incidents reported August 14, 2024
CULLMAN, Ala. – Below are the arrests and incidents reported August 14, 2024. All persons are innocent until proven guilty. GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear Cullman County Sheriff’s Office No arrests or incidents reported. Cullman Police Department Incidents No incidents reported. Arrests August 13 Fanning, Nathan D.; 40 FTA – public intoxication (3 counts) FTA – disorderly conduct FTA – possession of drug paraphernalia FTA – criminal trespass-3rd degree Hanceville Police Department Incidents and arrests reported by CCSO. Find arrest reports online Monday-Friday at www.CullmanTribune.com.
Alabama State Parks marks progress in major renovations
With more than $150 million available for renovations, repairs and construction, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) State Parks System is in the middle of major upgrades and enhancements to help State Parks’ guests embrace and enjoy Alabama’s natural beauty. State Parks Director Greg Lein said those projects span the entire state, with upgrades planned at many of the 21 Alabama State Parks. Lein gave updates on the projects from south to north, starting with the Gulf State Park Pier damaged during Hurricane Sally. The repairs and construction are progressing on schedule. “The Pier project is almost done and...
Southern Crown’s Disney Divas Pageant welcomes all ages Aug. 18
HANCEVILLE, Ala. – The Disney Divas Pageant is set to take place at the Hanceville Civic Center on Sunday, Aug. 18, starting at 10 a.m. Registration is currently open to all prospective contestants. The pageant offers a $50 all-inclusive entry fee, which covers the beauty category, one photogenic entry, all Supremes and group side awards. Optional categories, such as Outfit of Choice and Overalls, are available for an additional fee. Currently, there’s a friend special where two participants can enter for a combined fee of $75, effectively lowering the cost to $37.50 each. Age groups range from 0-23 months to 20-plus years,...
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