Spring Home & Garden pages Page A-4,5
Tigers advance in 6A state playoffs Page B1
Hometown newspaper of Jean Eubanks - since 1933
Hartselle Enquirer
50 CENTS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2024
VOLUME 91, NO. 17
Hartselle plans five major paving projects for 2024 By Jean Cole For the Enquirer Five major roads or sections of roads are set for resurfacing before winter in Hartselle. Public Works Director Curtis Self said those roads — selected based on condition and projected cost — include: • Barkley Bridge Road from Nance Ford Road to the city limits. • Railroad Street from its southern-most point north to Love Lady Street. This and the
Barkley Bridge Road resurfacing combined will cost $410,000. • Barkley Street Southwest from Hickory Street Southwest south to U.S. 31 at a cost of $83,000. • High Street Southwest from Pearl Street south to Karl Prince Drive Southwest at a cost of $53,000. • Limestone Street Southwest from Corsbie Street to U.S. 31 at a cost of $27,500. “We will definitely try to do all of these projects this year,” Self said. “And we plan to crack-seal
various roads this summer — as many as we can get to, but there is a large list that need it.” Most of the roads are ready for work to begin, but Limestone Street is the exception, Self said. “On Limestone Street, we are working with Hartselle Utilities because there are some utilities issues we’re going to have to work though on that,” Self said. “They need to do their work before we pave it.” Hartselle Mayor Randy Garrison explained how various streets make the repair list. Not all the roads can be
repaired in a year, so the roads are ranked and the city addresses them according to rank and available money. “Recently, the council had Sain Associates of Alabama study the city’s roads and work up a 10-year plan that ranked all of Hartselle’s roads on whether they needed to be resurfaced or repaired,” Garrison said. Roadwork is paid for with money from three different city funds — the 4 % gasoline fund, which generates about $6,400 a month; the 7% gasoline fund, which generates about $4,012
a month; and the Rebuild Alabama Tax Fund, which generates about $10,500 a month, said City Clerk Rita Lee. Together they generate a yearly average of $250,944, she said. The cost of Barkley Bridge Road and Railroad Street will be paid for with $410,000 already set aside by the city for the projects, Self said. He did not know the precise cost of each project. He said the city has also applied for a $250,000 grant to offset this $410,000 cost but the city hasn’t been notified whether its application was successful.
Hartselle Farmers Market to open Saturday for 2024 season
By Erica Smith For the Enquirer Challenger Matthew Frost defeated incumbent Don Stisher in the Republican runoff for Morgan County District 3 commissioner Tuesday. “Thank you to everyone who supported me throughout the race,” Frost said. “My intention to run a clean campaign was satisfied today. This has always been a dream of mine, and I look forward to serving my district and county.” With only provisional ballots remaining, Frost received 2,886 votes, or 75%. Stisher received 948 votes, or 25%. There is no Democratic candidate in the November general election. “I’d like to congratulate Matt. He worked hard and deserves the win,” Stisher said. “I’m proud of him and proud for the citizens. They’ve made a good selection.” Stisher said it has been an honor to serve Morgan County. “I’ve tried to serve with respect and dignity throughout my career,” he said. “I’m just humbled to have had a nice career.” Stisher said he plans to work with Frost on the projects that are scheduled. “I want to make a good transition for the people of the county,” he said. “They’ve been good to me, and I’ve worked hard for them. Time for new management, and that’s good, that’s healthy.” First-time political candidate Frost, 41, has been a District 3 mechanic/ operator for 13 years and graduated from Falkville High School in 2002. While running for office, he legally had to take an unpaid leave of absence. Stisher, 68, graduated from Falkville High School in 1974 and served six
terms as District 3 commissioner. He is married to Van Stisher, has one child, and one grandchild. Stisher received 39% of the vote in the March 5 Republican primary, while Frost received 33%. There was only a 4.4% voter turnout of registered voters in Tuesday’s runoff election. “I’m glad for the 4% that showed up,” Frost said. The annual salary for the position is $89,465. Morgan County commissioners are elected for four-year terms and commissioner races are countywide elections, although the commissioner must live in the district. District 3 covers most of the southern part of the county and includes 325 miles of roads, most of which are rural. The district includes the towns of Falkville and Eva.
Obituaries
For full obituaries, see page A-2
• John L. Garrison • Tracie Rivers Flowers • Bill Don ‘Big Daddy’ Ryan • Hilda Faye Eubanks
STAFF PHOTO
Local farmer Kenneth Morgan, far right, sells produce at the Hartselle Farmers Market with his wife, Mary in 2021.
By Staff Reports The Hartselle Farmers Market will welcome vendors and patrons alike Saturday as it opens for its 2024 season. Patrons can expect to see fresh spring greens, baked goods, select produce and more. The market will be open Saturdays from 7 a.m. until noon, or
• Betty K. Golden • Angela Marie Traylor
‘ By Staff Reports A walking trail winding through downtown Hartselle, dubbed the “Hartselle Hart Walk,” is set to d be unveiled to the public this fall. Spearheaded by local community leaders and health advocates, the ini-tiative aims tto promote he art health throough low-impact exxercise while simultaaneously driving foot traffic to downtown bussinesses. Jesi Livingston, spokesperson for the project, project said the project is dual-focused. “The Hartselle Hart Walk is designed to encourage heart healthiness through safe, historic surroundings, while also enticing more people to explore the businesses along Main Street,” she said. The initiative has received a financial boost from Cullman
until sold out. Market manager Erin Burleson said the market always starts off slow in the spring with a few vendors and grows as the weather warms up. “Most of our farmers are just now putting their plants in the ground, however there will be plants, eggs, locally raised beef, some crafts like soaps, and baked goods in the
weeks to come,” she said. Growers with a 202 Growers Permit can apply for the market at City Hall free of charge. Those interested in becoming a vendor or who have questions about the market, can find the Hartselle Farmers Market on Facebook and Instagram or call 256-654-7266. The market is located at 208 Sparkman St. SW, Hartselle.
’ Regional Medical Center, committing $1,500 annually to sponsor the project, Livingston said. While the total project cost is yet to be determined, a one-mile ro u t e has been outlined, passing nearly all the s h o p s located in the histooric downwn section. tow Lorri Bates, Directoor of CullRegional man Physician Services, said CRMC is i proud to Walk sponsor the Hart H healthy living. and promote heal “Making a healthy habit like walking even more enjoyable with the chance to see and shop our downtown businesses is a great idea. We’re so proud to have had the opportunity to help develop and now sponsor the Hartselle Hart Walk and hope everyone enjoys it,” Bates said. To guide walkers along the des-
ignated route, two signs will be installed at starting points – one in front of Oliwia’s Shave Ice on Railroad Street and another at the gazebo near Life Church. Sidewalk decals will further assist walkers in identifying the trail. Larry’s Signs in Hartselle has been tasked with printing the materials, with installation scheduled upon the completion of current downtown sidewalk construction. The grand opening of the Hartselle Hart Walk will be marked by a ribbon cutting by the Hartselle Chamber of Commerce. Once the decals and signs are in place, the trail will be officially open to the public, Livingston added. In addition to the trail launch, the Downtown Hartselle Business League (DHBL), Hartselle Parks and Rec and other community members are organizing a Fun Run scheduled for September, the weekend preceding Depot Days. “The DHBL also plans to partner with community groups and Hartselle City Schools to make this ‘Strengthening the Heart of Hartselle’ event a successful and community centered event,” Livingston said.