There are several area events planned Sunday and Monday to celebrate the legacy of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
On Sunday, Bethel A.M.E. Church will hold a tribute at 2:30 p.m. including a panel discussion, “Living the Dream in the 21st Century.” Performances will be by First Unity Missionary Baptist Church Praise Team.
In Opp, a citywide march traditionally is held at 10:15 a.m. on Monday, beginning at the Opp Police Department. The group will march to Hardin Street.
On Monday, Florala events begin at 11 a.m. at the Carver Community Center, Councilwoman Hazel Lee said.
At 6 p.m., St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church will hold its annual tribute with guest speaker the Rev. Bobby Harris.
More than 160 students participated in Andalusia’s brand-new after-school program, APPLE, which opened yesterday at Woodson Learning Center, formerly Andalusia Middle School.
The program, which is free, is funded by a three-year, $600,000 21st Century Learning Grant awarded to the city in October.
“The majority of the children were K-4,” Andy Wiggins, director of planning and development for the city, said. “The kids were super excited.”
Participating students are bused from Andalusia Elementary and Andalusia Junior High to the Woodson Learning Center, where they participate in recreational and academic activities.
Wiggins said the students were especially excited about the computer labs.
The city has employees directing the program, and volunteers also are helping, he said.
“That’s what will make the program successful,” he said. “There were lots of smiles on those kids’ faces.”
Wiggins said more than 200 applied for the program, but not all parents completed paperwork and attendance obligations. Those children are now on a waiting list.
- One perk of the APPLE after school program is the one-on-one tutoring sessions for students. Vanessa Snider, an APPLE teachers aid, worked with fourth grader CJ Harrelson on his homework.
- Alyssa Richardson (left) and Kylee Taylor were greeted by APPLE Site Manager Cece Lotierzo.
- APPLE Program Director Caitlin Shipman greeted students during their first day at the after school program and directed them into the building.
Andalusia City Councilman Kennith Mount had a chance to play “Santa” Tuesday night, when he presented the city with a check from Southeast Alabama Gas District for $489,342.
Mount is the city’s representative on the SEAGD board.
The City of Andalusia is one of 14 municipalities which own the gas district. Each year, those municipalities receive payments based on consumption of natural gas in each city.
The check was larger than in recent years, and $89,000 more than the city budgeted to receive.
“I’d like to thank the management staff of SEAGD who made this possible,” Mount said. “It’s an honor to present this check.”
Andalusia Star News
By: Michele Gerlach
The registered voters who reside on 16 pieces of property in the Mason subdivision will have the opportunity to vote themselves into the city limits of Andalusia, thanks to a resolution approved by the city council Tuesday night.
The annexation method requires a petition signed by 60 percent of the property owners to bring the issue before the council. If the council agrees, it then asks the probate judge to hold an election. Any registered voter who lives in the designated area may vote, city attorney Mark Christiansen said.
All of the property is located on Benvalen Avenue. Among the reasons cited was better fire protection and consequently, better insurance rates, council members were told.
By: Michele Gerlach
Andalusia Star News