• To start the 2009 year, the final merger of Farmers and Merchants Bank and First Southern State Bank was announced. First Southern President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Ellenburg said that the tactical merger between the two independent banks would become effective immediately although the blending of technologies and operations systems would roll out through the first quarter of 2009. The new institution would be operated at First Southern State Bank.

• In mid-January, Heather Free of Centre joined 53 other candidates from across the state to compete in the Alabama Junior Miss Pageant.

• Because of proration and the state of the economy, the Cherokee County Board of Education discussed cutting travel and other costs to save funds for the system.

• It was a boon to the local fishing industry and Weiss Lake in early January when the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources released some 36,000 crappie into Weiss Lake. With more to come! Carolyn Landrem, president, Weiss Lake Improvement Association, noted that the ongoing re-stocking program has had a positive impact on Weiss Lake.

• As this nation swore in a new President, local citizens Ethel Carson, Charlene Covington and the Rev. Cedric Williams shared their experiences attending the inauguration of Barack Obama in Washington D.C. It was indeed a momentous occasion, they said, and they were pleased to be part of this history-making event.

• In late January, Cherokee County Circuit Court Judge Randall Cole sentence Store Owner Pat Jenkins to 10 years in prison on each of 10 felony drug charges. In October 2008, a jury found Jenkins guilty on five counts of unlawful possession of pre-cursor chemicals for the manufacture of methamphetamine and five counts of manufacturing.

• Ryan Sides, an eighth grade student at Cedar Bluff School, won the Cherokee County Spelling Bee Title for 2009. Second place winner was Drew Harrelson, an eighth grade student at Spring Garden School, was first runner-up. The Bee was held at Spring Garden School.

• The Cherokee County School System chose Gina Roe, a fourth grade reading teacher at Centre Elementary School, as its 2008-2009 Jacksonville State University Teacher Hall of Fame and Alabama Teacher of the Year Honoree in the elementary division.

• The Cherokee County School System chose Greg Spoon, a teacher at Centre Middle School, as its 2009 Jacksonville State University Teacher Hall of Fame and Alabama Teacher of the Year Honoree in the secondary division.

• In February, a trio of weekend events at the Little River Canyon Center saluted the center’s Grand Opening. Pete Conroy, the center director, announced, “The Little River Canyon Center is now open to the public.”

• Located along Alabama Highway 35, just north of Little River Falls, the Little River Canyon Center has been a dream of environmentalists and educators for almost two decades.

• U.S. Senator Richard Shelby visited with Centre residents in March and addressed a variety of issues, many having to do with this nation’s financial future. The meeting was held at Centre City Hall.

• Third Congressional District Congressman Mike Rogers congratulated the men and the women of the Centre Fire Department in March for receiving a $71,720 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The funds would be used for new firefighting operations and safety equipment.

• Also in March, the Cherokee County Commission officially welcomed the new Cherokee County Flag, designed by Jeff Adcock. In a special ceremony, the commissioned raised the flag to fly along with the United State Flag and also the official Alabama State Flag in front of the Cherokee County Administration Building.

• The commission presented flags to local schools, local county offices and others.

• In March, a good crowd of local business and community leaders gathered at the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce office on the campus of Gadsden State Community College-Cherokee for Vision Cherokee, a strategic planning initiative organized by the newly-established Cherokee County Industrial Development Authority, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and Gadsden State Community College. The aim of Vision Cherokee is to create a more economically viable community in which to “live, work and raise a family.”

• Alabama FFA President for 2008-2009 Zachary Jones from Spring Garden School reflected on his year in office during the 2009 FCCLA-FFA Banquet held at SGS. Jones was instrumental in starting a local FFA Alumni Chapter among other accomplishments.

• The community was shocked in April when Local Pilot Harley McGatha’s plane crashed into a home off Northwood Drive, adjacent to the old Centre City Airport. McGatha died a short time later. The single-engine plane apparently crashed into the house while attempting to take off Saturday, April 4, just before 1 p.m. The home was that of Brian and Kelia Burleson, 13 Oakview Court. Crews remained on the scene throughout the weekend.

• In mid-April, local law enforcement agents assisted in arresting a Rome, Ga. man in connection to a murder for hire plot. Acting FBI Special Agent in Charge Charles E. Regan announced that Dwight Herschel Green, 54, was arrested without incident on Highway 9, between Cedar Bluff and Centre, Ala., on charges of Interstate Transportation in aid of racketeering-murder for hire.

• In early May, the Cherokee County Relay for Life showcased two realities of the 2009 year: heavy rains and poor economic conditions. Initially scheduled to be held in Cherokee County High School Warrior Stadium, the event, held in early May, was moved to the CCHS gymnasium. Because of the economy and other factors, Relay For Life 2009 had not reached its $66,000 goal. At the time, however, funds were still coming in.

• Little River Canyon Mount Park re-opened to the public following a $500,000 renovation. John Bundy, superintendent, Little River Canyon National Preserve, said the renovations included improvements in parking, flood control, resurfacing, painting and more.

• In May, Cherokee County Schools returned to their normal routines after a number of field trips and other events were canceled or postponed because of the arrival of swine flu in Alabama. Superintendent Brian Johnson said education officials did everything they could to minimize the local risk.

• Local citizens were urged to help jumpstart the local economy by Spending $20 on May 20 with local merchants.

• The Alabama Supreme Court ruled in May that the run-off election in the contested Cedar Bluff Municipal Election of August 2008 could proceed. Justice Michael Bolin wrote the opinion and the other eight justices concurred. Bolin stated that an election contest cannot be brought until after a candidate is “declared elected.”

• The Cedar Bluff Town Council, in May, voted to seek bids on a new fire truck.

• Former University of Alabama Head Football Coach Gene Stallings was the keynote speaker for the American Values dinner sponsored by the Greater Alabama Council Boy Scouts of America, and held on the campus of Gadsden State Community College-Cherokee. Coach Stallings lauded scouting, the values it instills in young people and also the adults who volunteer their time for scouting.

• Charles Moody, retired Cherokee County Extension coordinator, was inducted into the Alabama 4-H Hall of Fame in Montgomery. He was one of 24 inductees honored during special ceremonies held by the Alabama Farmers Federation. Moody was nominated by the Alabama 4-H state staff.

• In late May, a good crowd of local citizens appeared before the Cherokee County Board of Education in support of Greg Curley, band director at Cherokee County High School, who was pink-slipped at the end of the 2008-2009 School Year. They followed up a few days later with a peaceful protest in front of the Cherokee County Board of Education building.

• In June, Cherokee County citizens and visitors from throughout the southeast enjoyed a successful three-day Paddle Weiss Lake event. Included was the first Dragon Boat races on Weiss. Both events drew huge participation with hopes they can be even bigger and better next year.

• The City of Centre received high marks on its finances in June according to Auditor Forrest Frost’s report. Frost is with Kirkland and Company and commended the city on its handling of financial matters.

• Leesburg Fire Department added a pumper to its fleet in June. The total cost of the vehicle, a 2008 Freightliner E1, was $177,000. The town purchased the vehicle from Sunbelt.

• The Cherokee County Board of Education, in June, voted to uphold the involuntary transfer of Paul Hyche from assistant principal at Cherokee County Career and Technology Center to assistant principal at Gaylesville School which became effective at the start of the 2009-2010 School Year.

• Earlier in the spring, the board recommended the transfer as a cost-cutting measure and following procedure, set a date for a hearing which was held June 16 in open forum.

MORE 2009 HIGHLIGHTS ON JAN. 6