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50¢ | Vol. 144, No. 11
Hometown Newspaper of Ricky Hargett — Est. 1879 | Wednesday, March 13, 2024
UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists
FILE PHOTO More than three million dollars has been approved for a new Russellville library/ multipurpose center.
Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/ multipurpose center
By Staff Reports A total of 13,950 students enrolled during the fall 2023 semester at the University of Alabama were named to the dean’s list with an academic record of 3.5 (or above) or the president’s list with an academic record of 4.0 (all A’s). The UA dean’s and president’s lists recognize full-time undergraduate students. The lists do not apply to graduate students or undergraduate students who take less than a full course load. Franklin County students include the following: Dean’s List Phil Campbell: Emma Ergle, Ethan Hall Russellville: Luke B a r n we l l , Tristen Bickerstaff, Anna Byars, Au t u m n B r a g we l l , Lisette Gonzalez, John McReynolds Vina: Gretchen Davis President’s List Phil Campbell: Chloe Brown, Jonah Fisher, Grace-lyn Habada, Benjamin Williams Red Bay: Abbey Colley Russellville: Kaitlyn Balding, Maxim Moussad, Callie Palmer, Mary Willingham Graduation List Russellville: Tristen Bickerstaff (Bachelor of Arts), Carley McCalpin (Bachelor of Science in Commerce & Business Administration)
Index Records ........................ A3 Opinion ........................ A4 Kids ............................... A5 Worship ........................ A6 Sports ........................... B1
By María Camp maria.camp@ franklincountytimes.com PHOTOS BY MARÍA CAMP FC Cattlemen president, Michael Pounders (left) and vice-president, Caleb Beason (right) present Marty Graham with the Cattleman of the Year award.
Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year By María Camp maria.camp@ franklincountytimes.com The Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association held their annual banquet March 9 at the A.W. Todd Centre in downtown Russellville. As an outreach to help fellow Cattlemen affected by loss from the fires in the Texas Panhandle, the FC Cattlemen announced raising $778. A vote confirmed the officers for the next year – Michael Pounders, president; Caleb Beason, vice-president; and Jack Hargett and Bonnie Hargett as secretary and treasurer. Marty Graham was named Cattleman of the Year. In 2017, the farm received the Century Heritage award. At the 2021 Farm-City banquet in Russellville, the Graham family was named Farm Family of the Year for Golden Farms, which originated in the late 1890s. Martin Golden Jr. carried on row crops until the 1980s, when he decided to raise cattle. Graham is a 1998 graduate of Russellville High School and a 2003 graduate of Auburn University. He is employed at Alabama
The Franklin County Cattlemen hold their annual banquet, originally scheduled for January, March 9 at the A.W. Todd Centre in downtown Russellville. Farm Credit in Tuscumbia. In announcing the award, the group said his “passion for environmental stewardship, animal welfare, and industry excellence can be seen on his multigenerational cattle operation,” Golden Farms, a 600-acre cow-andcalf operation running between 130 to 150 brood cows, located in the Newburg Community. Colt Thomas and
Blaine McDuffa received the Grayson Garcia Memorial Scholarship for their work in the beef cattle industry. Katerina Cole Coffey, Franklin County Extension Coordinator; Austin Blankenship, Franklin County 4-H Agent; and Kerry Steedly, Regional Extension Agent for Forestry, Wildlife and Natural Resources, spoke. Keynote speak-
ers included Lauranne James, executive director of the Northwest Alabama RC& D Council, who spoke about the importance of partnerships and the role RC&D plays in strengthening communities, and Leslie Goins, a livestock production specialist, who spoke on cattle nutrition, markets and the role she plays in ensuring farmers and ranchers are successful.
Classifieds ................... B4 Ak A k ins Funera r a l Home Our family has been serving Franklin County since 1949.
Offering compassionate service and advice during the most difficult of times. Staff is always available, 24/7 13455 Hwy. 43 – Russellville, Alabama
256-332-1131 LEFT: Blaine McDuffa receives the Grayson Garcia Memorial Scholarship for his work in the beef and cattle industry. RIGHT: Colt Thomas receives the Grayson Garcia Memorial Scholarship for his work in the beef and cattle industry
“It’s a great day for the City of Russellville,” said Ru s s e l l v i l l e mayor David Grissom on Sunday, noting Congressman Aderholt called him the day before with news of the funding approval. “I extend special thanks to Congressman Aderholt and his staff.” Aderholt, senior member of the Appropriations C o m m i t t e e, p rev i ously released a statement about the 14 projects secured for the Fourth District, the $3,892,000 for the City of Russellville for a new Russellville Public Library/multipur pose community center being among them. Grissom explained Kre g Kennedy, an employee in Aderholt’s office, said it could take “up to a year to receive the funds,” adding, at that point, the city then has one year to complete the building. “I plan on meeting with the architect, the engineer, the Norris family, Russellville Public Library director Joshlyn Bowen, members of the library board and building inspector Bill Fuller in the next few weeks to begin getting our plans underway,” Grissom added. Bowen said she received confirmation Saturday from Grissom of President Biden signing the bill (H.R. 4366 - “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024). “Although I had a strong feeling it would happen based on the most recent update, provided at the March 4 city council meeting, it was still uncertain until then,” she explained. “During my time as director, I have dreamed of this moment coming into fruition,” Bowen continued. “The new library/multipurpose community center will be enjoyed by our children and our children’s children for generations to come. I look forward to the journey ahead.”