In the District Four Cherokee County Commission race, Carlton “Bubba” Teague received 2,459 votes over Democratic Candidate Carl Hackett’s 1,035.
Democratic Challenger Jeff Shaver headed for the general election after defeating Incumbent Larry Wilson and Democratic Challenger Danny Smith in the June Primary. Shaver received 2,053 votes to Wilson’s 1,061 and Smith’s 763.
In mid-summer, Cherokee County was among 48 counties in Alabama that were declared natural disaster areas because of drought and damage to crops.
Local residents were saddened following the death of a Centre woman which reportedly occurred because of an incident in a Rainbow City group home.
Martha Sue Hall died June 22. She had resided at the group home for only a few days when she was critically injured and never regained consciousness. Local police continued to investigate the incident.
In July, a local citizens group announced its intention to join forces with the Cherokee County Board of Education in hopes of acquiring a new Centre Middle School Building.
Many friends and loved ones mourned the death of former educator and community leader Julia Snead Kingston in July.
The Centre City Council honored local Dixie Youth Baseball Teams for advancing to the state playoffs this past summer.
Also in July, Democrats Carlton “Bubba” Teague and Kimball Parker won in their respective races for the Cherokee County Commission during the July 18 run-off. In District Four, Teague won over challenger Carl Hackett by a vote of 1,958-881. In District Two, Parker won over Bobby Joe Johnson by a vote of 1,563-1,246.
After months of preparation and discussions, local citizens and leaders were able to take part in ground breaking ceremonies for the new Gadsden State Community College-Cherokee County Campus in early August. On hand for the festivities held at the Gadsden State site on Cedar Bluff Road were Gov. Bob Riley, Rep. Richard Lindsey, Sen. Larry Means, Alabama Board of Education members and a host of Gadsden State officials and local citizens.
The $21.8 million complex was expected to be completed in 2008.
It was more welcome news in August when Pemco announced plans to expand its Leesburg Plant. The company announced plans to move its U.S. Headquarters from Baltimore to Leesburg and close its Baltimore Plant. This expansion would mean approximately 50 to 60 jobs for this area, company officials announced.
Five local woman combined their life-saving skills and helped rescue two boaters in a tragic accident on Weiss Lake in August. Mike Harrison, 61, and Mike Washburn, 53, were treated at local hospitals and released. Jimmy R. Todd, 59, lost his life in the accident which occurred near Leesburg.
Also in August, Cherokee County District Four Commissioner Kay Chumbler announced she was stepping down from her post for health reasons. Chumbler, who was appointed by Gov. Bob Riley, served for approximately 18 months.
A few weeks later, Gov. Riley appointed Republican Lynn Fitzpatrick to serve the remainder of Chumbler’s term.
It was a boost for Cherokee County Democrats in August when their new office opened on West Main Street in Centre in August. On hand for the grand opening ceremonies were Jim Folsom Jr., candidate for lieutenant governor, and a number of other dignitaries.
The Cherokee Humane Society sought a $50,000 appropriation from the Cherokee County Commission in its Fiscal 2006-2007 Budget which would be applied toward construction of an animal shelter facility. Freda Waters, president, Cherokee Humane Society pointed out to commissioners that the city of Centre had already committed to $25,000.
It was some encouraging news for local farmers in early September when U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns approved the allocation of $1 million in assistance.
According to David Derrick with the Cherokee County Extension System office, Cherokee County was hard hit by the spring and summer drought.
Cherokee County was the recipient of $60,000 in Homeland Security funds in September. According to Alabama Homeland Security Director Jim Walker, the $60,000 was to be spent on security planning, training, exercises and equipment. Every Alabama County, Walker said, received these funds to improve their ability to prevent, protect and respond to terrorism-related activities.
On Monday, Sept. 13, local citizens gathered for a special ceremony to honor firefighters for their role in the Sept. 11, 2001 tragedy. The ceremony was held on the steps of the Cherokee County Courthouse.
The Spring Garden High School Football team officially “broke in” the new football stadium in a game against Valley Head in September.
The Centre Fire Department welcomed a new $300,000 fire truck to its force in September. The purchase was necessary when the department found itself in an emergency situation. Centre Fire Chief Kevin Ware said the department, at the time, only had one truck which was adequately functioning. The city purchased the truck from Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus.
The Cherokee County Board of Education was recognized in September as one of the first recipients of the AASB (Alabama Association of School Boards) President’s Awards for 2006. During a board meeting, Superintendent Brian Johnson explained that the award recognizes those school board members who as a team have committed to improving their school boardmanship skills.
Jefferson County Commissioner and Anchorwoman Shelia Smoot was the guest speaker for the Annual NAACP Freedom Banquet in Centre. The event was held at the ROC (Recreation Outreach Center) of Centre First Baptist Church. Smoot drew huge rounds of applause as she encouraged members to remember their history and their heritage.
News Publishing Company, parent company of The Cherokee County Herald, announced the addition of a new $2.35 million press as part of its continuing upgrade and expansion of its community newspapers.
The Centre City Council approved a $2.6 million for Fiscal Year 2006-2007 which, according to Mayor Phil Powell and Council members, was in line with the previous year’s budget.
Local Kindergarten through Third Grade Students traveled back to their farm heritage as part of Farm Field Days 2006 in late September. The theme for the event was Pioneer Farming and once again, students got to see live animals, quilting displays, farm equipment demonstrations and more. The event was held at Sand Rock Livestock Arena.
The Cherokee County Commission approved a $19.1 million budget for Fiscal Year 2006-2007, which was approximately $1.2 million over the previous year’s budget.
An active year continued for local law enforcement agents, as the Cherokee County Drug Task Force made 19 drug arrests as part of “Operation Cherokee Storm.”
The community was in shock following a dog attack on a local citizen and coach in the Spring Garden area. Dana Austin, a teacher and coach at Spring Garden School, was jogging on Cherokee County Road 8 when she was attacked by five dogs. Although she survived the attack, she face surgery and recuperation time from her injuries. The attack highlighted the need for a leash law and some type of animal control for the county.
On that subject, the Centre City Council, in October, directed City Attorney Al Shumaker to draw up a proposed leash law ordinance which would fine those pet owners who refused to leash or fence their dogs. Council members pointed out that such an ordinance would be difficult to enforce since the city, at the time, had no place to house the animals.
The Cherokee County Commission approved a 4 percent cost of living raise for Cherokee County employees. The commission also approved a cost of living raise for elected officials. All Commissioners, however, declined the raise as they are allowed to do by law.
The Cherokee County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Cherokee County Commission and the Cherokee County Parks and Recreation Board teamed up in October to restore Pratt Memorial Park where John Pratt, inventor of the typewriter and family are buried. Total estimated cost of the project was $8,000.
Local political candidates continued to make their case for election in October during a gathering in Cedar Bluff. The forum was organized by the Cedar Bluff Civitan Club and moderated by Mary Davis.
The Cherokee County Republican Party welcomed as guest speaker State Treasure Kay Ivey to its 2006 Annual Banquet held at the ROC. She commended the party on its growth in Cherokee County, “one person at a time.”
The Cherokee County Commission, in October, tabled action on a proposed 7 percent cost of living raise for retired county employees. Commissioners wanted to wait until January to get a better idea of how the county finances stand.
Also in October, the Centre City Council voted down a proposed leash law as proposed in an earlier meeting. The consensus was that the city did not have enough adequate means for enforcing the ordinance.
It was good news for Cherokee County School Superintendent Brian Johnson and local schools in January when Johnson earned high marks on his PEPE (Professional Education Personnel Evaluation.) Dr. Neil Hyche, who supervised the evaluation, said Cherokee County is lucky to have Johnson’s leadership.
Cherokee County voters elected a new probate judge and two new county commissioners in November. Democratic Challenger Melvyn Salter defeated Incumbent Republican Kirk Day and Independent Candidate Bobby Borders. Day received 3,188 votes and Borders received 274 votes.
Democratic Challenger Kimball Parker defeated Incumbent Republican Mark Green and Independent Candidate Tim Abernathy. Green received 2,681 votes and Abernathy received 498 votes.
In the District Four Commission race, Democratic Candidate Carlton Teague defeated Incumbent Republican Lynn Fitzpatrick and Independent Candidate Larry Woodall. Fitzpatric received 1,750 votes and Woodall received 463 votes.
As for other races, Democratic Candidate Jeff Shaver defeated Independent Candidate Bob Epperson by a vote of 5,950-689 in the Cherokee County Sheriff’s race.
Democratic Candidate Dewandee Neyman defeated Independent Candidate Wendy Chumbler by a vote of 4,560-1,336 in the District Four Cherokee County Board of Education Race. Challenger defeated Incumbent Demcratic Tommy McDaniel in the June Primary.
Democrat Cherokee County Coroner Don Rogers was elected to a fourth term defeating Independent Challenger Dr. Pat Herrera by a vote of 5,472-1,006.
Democratic Circuit Clerk Dwayne Amos faced no opposition after defeating Democratic Candidate Kevin Green in the June Primary.
Voters also approved a health and safety provision for the unincorporated areas of Cherokee County in the November General Election The vote was 2,237-1,940 in favor of the proposal.
A Cherokee County Grand Jury indicted two people on capital murder charges in the slaying of Martha Darlene Roberts who was killed April 6 near the Alabama-Georgia state line.
Barbara Ann Roberts and Robert John Schiess III were each indicted on counts including murder during a robbery and murder during a kidnapping said Cherokee County District Attorney Mike O’Dell.
A Cherokee County Jury returned verdicts of guilty against John Wayne Roebuck, 55, for kidnapping, first degree and two counts of attempted murder in November.
Presiding Judge Randall Cole set sentencing in all three convictions for January 2007. Roebuck faces maximum sentences of 20 years to a maximum of life in each of the three convictions.
The Cherokee County Board of Education started a new year in November. The board welcomed New Member Dewandee Neyman. The board also elected Don Stowe as board chairperson and Lynn Rochester as vice chairperson.
In early December an Amber Alert was issued for 5-year-old Geontae Glass, who was reported missing from an Albertville store. Initial reports indicated that Glass was asleep in a vehicle which was stolen.
Shortly afterward, however, the report turned out to be a hoax when the child’s body was found in Etowah County. Glass’ mother, Shalinda Glass, along with her boyfriend, Andre “Dre” Towles were charged with capital murder in the death of the child.
Also in December, the Cedar Bluff High School Tiger Football team made it to the state playoffs in Birmingham.
The Tigers faced Sweet Water for the 1A title. While the Cedar Bluff team came in second in the state, local citizens were proud of Head Coach Jonathan McWhorter, his staff and members of the Tiger Squad for doing their community proud this past season.
Centre Elementary School students made history in December by joining students across the nation in reading a passage from Charlotte’s Web. They attempted to set a world record of the most people reading a single literary passage at the same time.
The Centre National Guard Unit made a special presentation in December. The unit awarded the Distinquished Honor Medal to Louise Dutton, wife of the late Sgt. Major. Jerry Dutton.
Longtime Community Leader Maj. Gen. Joseph P. Kingston passed away in a Birmingham hospital in December. He was remembered by friends as someone with strong character
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