Summer Olympics. See page A4.
RPL summer program. See page A7.
Tharptown Baptist summer camp. See page A8.
50¢ | Vol. 144, No. 32
Hometown Newspaper of Mark Holland — Est. 1879 | Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Franklin County Watermelon Festival returns soon
CONTRIBUTED KIMBERLY BOYKIN
By María Camp maria.camp@ franklincountytimes.com
Phil Campbell woman indicted, arrested for Criminally Negligent Homicide of eight-yearold child By María Camp maria.camp@ franklincountytimes.com
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office booked Kimberly Boykin, 37, of Phil Campbell, Ala., at 9:57 a.m. on August 2, 2024, under charges of non-vehicular criminally negligent homicide. Her booking number is 11986. She was released later that day at 5:45 p.m. Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver said the indictment and arrest followed a March 2023 incident in the Gravel Hill community in Franklin County where Boykin is accuses of “recklessly leaving a loaded firearm where a child could reach it.” Oliver explained a four-year-old found it, picked it up , fired it and struck an eight-year-old child in the abdomen. “Boykin had left the residence and was not at the house when the incident occurred,” Oliver explained. “An older sibling called 911 after the shooting.” He said following the arrival of deputies and EMS, the eight-year-old child was transported to a local hospital and died there from the gunshot injury. Charges and bail amounts may change after court appearances and may not be current on the website, franklinsheriff.org.
Index
Records ........................A3 Opinion ........................A4 Kids ...............................A5
Worship ........................A6 Sports ...........................B1 Classifieds ...................B4 Fam ami mily i Owned and an n Opera rated a
The only locally owned funeral home in Russellville!
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256-332-1131
The Franklin County Watermelon Festival boasts non-stop musical entertainment, watermelon contests and more, including the presentation of the Watermelon Queen, arts and crafts vendors, an antique car and truck show, 5K and fun run, free wedges of juicy watermelon, youth performances, themed festival T-shirts for sale and more in downtown Russellville.
See WATERMELON, Page A2 FILE PHOTO The Russellville City Schools Board of Education and Russellville City Council approve a contract agreement extending RCS’s management of the city Parks and Recreation Department.
RCS BOE, Russellville City Council approve contract agreement By Staff Reports At the Aug. 5 joint meeting for the Russellville City Schools Board of Education and the Russellville City Council, members of both groups approved a contract agreement to extend RCS’s management of the city Parks and Recreation Department. The ag reement allows RCS to continue management of the department for the next five years. Per the original agreement, the city will continue to maintain ownership of the properties, paying for insurance on the properties, the utilities and will be responsible for major maintenance. RCS will be responsible for dayto-day maintenance, management of fields and parks and employment. RCS first took over management of the Russellville Parks and Recreation Department five years ago, which was a way for the city to utilize school employees and coaches to help breathe life back
into the department so it could be a viable resource for the city. At the time, RCS administrators and Russellville Mayor David Grissom agreed it was a win-win situation for both groups. “The city and schools worked together as a team to revitalize our Parks and Rec Department and have accomplished so many positive things over the last several years,” Grissom said. “It worked out well for all involved and has been a very successful initiative.” Grissom said the department’s staff has made all the difference in the success of the partnership and the city’s willingness to extend the contract agreement. “I want to commend Parks and Rec Director Donnie Flanagan for his leadership and the many hours he and his team have invested in making this department truly top notch,” Grissom said. “His dedication to excellence in both maintenance and
management has helped bring in additional revenue through the tournaments we have hosted now that we have such wonderfully maintained facilities. I have heard so many positive things from community members and out-of-town guests about the enjoyable experience coming to events in Russellville, and I’m thankful for his hard work and the hard work of his employees.” While the employees have played a significant role, RCS students have also contributed greatly to the improved conditions of the fields and facilities. “When this agreement was first made, a new class at Russellville High School was created in the RCS Career and Technical Education Department for Turf, Grass and Field Management,” current RCS Superintendent Dr. Tim Guinn said. “This class has been very beneficial to our students looking to have a career in this field or who just want to learn more about
grass maintenance and management. In turn, these students are able to practice the skills they learn at the park and rec facilities and provide necessary services. It has worked out well for everyone, and it’s something we’re glad to see continue. Any chance to educate our students in a hands-on way and help them gain necessary experience and knowledge is something we want to be part of.” Grissom said seeing the Parks and Recreation Department flourishing over the last five years has him excited for what’s to come. “I’m glad we can work together with the RCS board and administration to maintain this partnership that has worked very well for both groups,” Grissom said. “I look forward to several more years of ensuring our young people have access to the best facilities and programs possible at the Park and Rec level here in Russellville.”
Franklin County student earns $1,000 Alfa Foundation Scholarship By Staff Reports Kaitlin Speck, of Russellville, Ala., was recently selected as one of 100 recipients of the 2024-20255 Alfa Foundation Scholarship Program. Speck, a freshman at Northwest Shoals Community College majoring in elementary education, received $1,000 to use toward tuition, fees, books or supplies. Since 2014, the Alfa Foundation has awarded $1,050,000 to students through its scholarship program, which is administered by Kaleidoscope. This year’s recipients hail from 44 counties and will attend 29 institutions. “We are proud to support this outstanding group of students
as they further their education within the state of Alabama,” said Alfa Insurance® President Jimmy Parnell. “It’s important to us as an organization to invest in our young people, and we are happy to do so through the Alfa Foundation Scholarship Program.” Scholarships were awarded based on grade point average, participation in school and community activities, honors, work experience and future goals. To qualify, students must be enrolled – or planning to enroll – in a full-time accredited program at a two-year or fouryear college, university or vocational-technical school located in Alabama.
CONTRIBUTED Kaitlin Speck, of Russellville, recently becomes one of 100 recipients of the Alfa Foundation 2024-20255 scholarship program.
Russellville Fire Department celebrates 100 years with open house Saturday By María Camp maria.camp@ franklincountytimes.com
The Russellville Fire Department is holding an open house Aug. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Russellville Fire Station #1, located in downtown Russellville at 1100 South Jackson Ave. The event includes refreshments, station and apparatus tours, displays, children’s activities and a presentation by Chief Mansell. Point of contact is Deputy Chief Seal, 256324-0456.
Ivey awards more than $3 million for weatherization assistance
By Staff Reports Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded just over $3 million in grants to lower energy costs for lowincome residents, with a particular focus on helping the elderly, people with disabilities and families with children. The grants support the Weatherization Assistance Program, which helps residents lower their bills by making their homes more energy efficient. The funds have been awarded to 13 local agencies
See GRANTS, Page A2