The City of Andalusia’s business operations will become more streamlined over the next 18 to 24 months, as the council agreed Tuesday to move forward with a new software system.

New World Systems, which installed the software in 2002, is sunsetting the city’s current system. The city will move to the company’s new municipal operating system, and the company will be able to preserve the data currently stored.

The system, which costs $213,408, will be purchased in installments.

Among its features is the ability for city inspection employees to be able to use iPads from the field to tap into real-time data about construction projects. Another is that city employees at the Adult Activity Center, Johnson Park, and other venues who collect money, will enter their data directly into the central system. At present, each entity has to balance its funds in QuickBooks, and that data must be reentered into the city system.

In other business, the council approved a retail liquor license for Two Guys Pies, a new restaurant venture Casey Jones is opening in Westgate Plaza.

- Andalusia Star News

Vendors and artisans are needed for the upcoming Three Notch Market.

As one of the major fundraisers for the Andalusia Junior Woman’s Club, the fourth annual event will be held on Sat., May 4, at Springdale.

Mary Michael Bozeman, AJWC spokeswoman, said there are several remaining slots available for those who would like to participate in the event.

“We’re looking for any type of creative arts and crafts type things,” Bozeman said. “We already have a good number of vendors registered to participate, but there is always room for more.”

Bozeman said vendor examples include handmade wooden toys and furniture, handmade jewelry and soaps, as wells as personal pampering vendors.

“We do have some skin care lines and vitamin lines registered,” she said. “I would say that if you feel like you have a special talent or hobby that you’d like to sell or advertise, come on out.”

There are also spaces available for food vendors, she said.

The gates to Springdale will open at 9 a.m. and close at 4 p.m.; however, vendors can begin setup at 7:30 a.m. Admission to the event is free. For vendors, there is a $60 booth rental fee with a $10 application fee.

Members are also pre-selling raffle tickets for hourly drawings on that Saturday. Prizes include everything from donations from local businesses, including items and services, to a six-day beach trip. Tickets are $1 each and available from any AJWC member.

The day will also feature a 5K run and walk beginning at 9 a.m. followed by a 10 a.m. one-mile fun run.

Local entertainment will also be featured throughout the day.

All monies raised will be distributed through service projects at area schools.

“This event goes right along with the pride of Andalusia,” Bozeman said. “It’s not only a charitable event, but it’s also a way for the community to get together for something fun to do while supporting local talent and local businesses.”

For more information or a vendor packet, call Bozeman at 334.318.1028.

- Andalusia Star News

John Twitty was supposed to meet his family at the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday.

The 55-year-old Andalusia runner had finished the race and was walking toward the line to get goodies when he heard an explosion behind him.

“All I could see was a white plume of smoke,” he said.

A few moments later, he and other runners heard another blast.

“Basically, we were told to keep moving,” he said.

He soon learned by text that his wife and three children were lost and delayed. It was a great message, he said, to know they were OK.

Two people died and at least 141 were treated for injuries sustained from explosions near the finish of the storied Boston Marathon. At least 17 of the injured were reported in critical condition. Federal authorities classified the bombings as a terrorist attack, and at least one and possible two other explosive devices were found.

While the Twitty family was delayed downtown while rescue workers dealt with the aftermath of the bombing, he said Monday night they didn’t really see the chaos until they returned to their hotel room hours later.

When he heard the bombs, he said he immediately knew something terrible had happened.

“In my mind, I wondered, ‘What’s next?’ ” he said.

Twitty finished the 26.1 mile race in 4 hours and 19 minutes. It was his first time to run Boston, but he doesn’t plan to return.

“Not just because of what happened today,” he said. “It’s just and expensive venture.”

He qualified to run this year’s marathon when finished Huntsville’s Rocket City Marathon in 3 hours and 37 minutes. Two months ago, he ran the Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham and qualified for Boston for next year. While he’s not planning to return, he has until September to change his mind.

“The race is age graded, so it’s not like I’m running with the Kenyans,” he said. “

The Boston Marathon, begun in 1897, is the world’s oldest annual marathon. The event attracts 500,000 spectators each year and an average of 20,000 runners each year, making it New England’s most widely viewed sporting event.

Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia won the men’s race yesterday, finishing in 2 hours, 10 minutes, 22 seconds. Kenya’s Rita Jeptoo won the women’s race for her second Boston victory, finishing in 2:26:25.

- Andalusia Star News

Andalusia’s municipal court will soon have a new home, after the city council on Tuesday agreed to purchase a building on Opp Avenue for that purpose.

The council authorized Mayor Earl Johnson to negotiate the purchase of the building, currently owned by Chad Hughes and home to DigiPrint and Hughes Security and Sound. The agreed-upon purchase price is $185,000.

“We have a need to make some improvements for city court system and how our court operates,” Johnson said. “When I first began discussions about this need with the city judge, we had no idea this property might become available. I think this is a reasonable price, especially considering it is next to the police department.”

He said more space, as well as security, is needed for the court, which currently is held in the police department building.

Already, the police department and the library use the Hughes property for parking.

Johnson said he believes if the city doesn’t buy the building now, it will regret it in the long run.

In other business, the council:

• Approved an engineering contract with CDG Engineers for improvements to South Three Notch. Eighty percent of the project costs are being covered by the state.

Daniel Wells, an engineer with CDG, said the state plans to let bids on the project in December of this year. At present, he said, it’s important to get a traffic study completed while school is in session.

• Approved an ordinance setting a back-to-school sales tax holiday in the city on Aug. 2-4.

• Approved the transfer of a beverage license at Boland Lanes to the new owner, Don Dupree and Strikers Entertainment.

• Announced there are four openings on the Tourism and Relocation Committee; one opening on the Andalusia Housing Authority; two openings on the Board of Zoning Adjustments; and two openings on the Community Enhancement Committee. Anyone interested in serving on one of the committees or boards should contact city hall.

- Andalusia Star News