Distinguished Young Women. See page A2.
Play & Win football contest. See pages A4, A7.
MORE PHOTOS: Watermelon Festival. See page A8.
Hometown Newspaper of Beth Hall — Est. 1879 | Wednesday, September 4, 2024
50¢ | Vol. 144, No. 36
CONTRIBUTED A Hodges man dies in a Franklin County car crash.
Traffic accident claims life of Hodges man
By Staff Reports The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reported a single-vehicle crash around 5:25 p.m. Aug. 26 has claimed the life of Michael E. Chamblee, 67, of Hodges, who was fatally injured when the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado he was driving left the roadway and struck a tree. Chamblee was pronounced deceased at the scene. The crash occurred on Alabama 187 near the 20-mile marker, approximately two miles south of Belgreen, in Franklin County.
FILE PHOTO The Bay Tree Council for the Performing Arts announces its new season.
BTCPA announces new season
By Staff Reports The Bay Tree Council for the Performing Arts in Red Bay has announced its 2024-2025 season. “The Crazy Quilt Club,” by Pat Cook, will be presented Nov. 7-10, 2024, and will be directed by Brittany Faris. The Fe b r u a r y production will be “Moon Over Buffalo,” by Ken Ludwig and directed by Mark Richardson,
See BTCPA, Page A2 am mi
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PHOTOS BY DAN BUSEY/TIMES DAILY A 1923 locomotive is lowered to its final resting spot Tuesday across from the Red Bay Museum. The locomotive, a tender and caboose was made possible through donations and a grant.
Red Bay receives next pieces of railroad park By Dan Busey dan.busey@timesdaily.com It’s taken about four years, but the Red Bay Museum has added a steam locomotive, a tender and a caboose, much of it made possible through the generosity of a local businessman. Scotty Kennedy, the curator of the Red Bay Museum, said the city acquired a 1939 Illinois Central Railroad caboose about four years ago with the intention of displaying it in the city park. The city purchased a lot across the street from the Red Bay Museum and relocated an old wooden water tower that was once used to provide water for steam locomotives. “Bob Tiffin with Tiffin Motor homes always wanted a steam locomotive,” Kennedy said. “He thought it would be neat to have one.” Kennedy said a locomotive built in 1923 was found in Pennsylvania where it had been in storage for 67 years. He said Tiffin had the locomotive and tender restored in Pennsylvania. The tender arrived in Red Bay on Aug. 19 and the locomotive arrived Aug. 20. “We’ve been ready for a while,” Kennedy said. “It’s been quite an ordeal getting it here. It had to come through five states, and we needed permits from all five states.” The locomotive was placed on tracks with the aid of two large cranes, Kennedy said. Kennedy said the wooden water tower will be flanked by two sets of railroad tracks. The caboose will be on one set of tracks while the locomotive
A locomotive is lowered to its final resting spot Tuesday across from the Red Bay Museum. and tender will sit on the other set with the water tower in between, he said. “I can’t begin to tell you what he’s done for our town over the years,” Kennedy said of Tiffin. “He’s helped numerous organizations out. He loves history, trains and old cars. “He’s just excited to have one and share it. He’s that kind of person.” According to a news release that cites Christopher Coleman of the East Broad Top Railroad History Site, the locomotive was
See TRAIN , Page A2
The next Franklin Living magazine is coming soon! Here is a sneak preview of the front cover!