Andalusia is now home to a new Salvation Army service center.
Brenda Furqueron, SA area director, said the new service center was brought to Covington County because of the “overwhelming resp-onse” at last year’s Red Kettle drive. Local volunteers stood outside Walmart and raised nearly $30,000 between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, she said.
Now, locals can apply for those funds at the new office, which is located off U.S. Hwy. 29 North in the Northside Office Park next to Maddox Insurance, she said.
The Salvation Army, the evangelical organization dedicated to bringing people into a meaningful relationship with God while providing for the community’s needs, will offer financial assistance for utility and rent/mortgage costs.
“We are so happy to be able to provide these services for the people of Covington County,” Furgqueron said. “Before, people had to drive to Ozark to get services.”
She said on the local front, those needing assistance must make an appointment. No walk-ins will be seen. She said the small office and the appointment-only basis gives clients a sense of privacy when applying for services.
“The social service worker will see clients on an appointment basis, so those needing assistance should call and describe their particular situation and how they need assistance,” she said.
Additionally, she said the Salvation Army will not duplicate services provided by other assistance agencies.
“For example, if someone received utility assistance from, say OCAP, we don’t want to give that person assistance as well,” she said. “That way, there’s more money to go around and more people it can benefit.”
Furquereon commended local attorney Sonny James and his army of volunteers for making the local drive, and now the office front, a success.
To schedule an appointment, call 334-222-0112.
The Internal Revenue Service revoked the tax-exempt status of 17 local non-profit agencies Friday.
The agencies were among 3,460 statewide.
Announcement of the revocations comes years after Congress imposed an annual filing requirement for all nonprofits and an automatic revoc-ation penalty for those that do not file for three years in a row.
“Th- ere are many reasons why these nonprofits have lost their tax exempt status,” said Russell Jackson with the Alabama Association of Nonprofits. “We believe many of the organizations have simply closed their doors over the years and just failed to report it to the IRS. The vast majority of the other groups listed are small nonprofits that were just unaware of the new reporting requirements.”
In Andalusia, agencies included:
• Alabama Community and Safety, 209 Moore Road B5;
• Deliverance Community Development, 619 Auburn Avenue;
• Wesley Day Care Services, 1218 East Three Notch Street;
• Can-I-Volunteer, P.O. Box 326;
• Abbie Varner Foundation, P.O. Box 697;
• Gunter Dixon Foundation, P.O. Box 990;
• Hopewell Area Volunteer Fire Department, 6629 Brooklyn Road;
• Christian Service Center, 403 S. Three Notch Street;
• 1433 Ministries, 6629 Brooklyn Road;
• Order of the Eastern Star, P.O. Box 2015.
In Florala:
• American Legion Post #34, P.O. Box 484;
• American Legion Post #77, P.O. Box 31;
• Carver National Alumni Association, P.O. Box 276;
• Friends of the Florala Public Library, 715 North Third Street.
In Opp,
• Opp Arts Council, P.O. Box 70;
• Disabled American Veterans, Covington County Chapter, 107 N. Main Street.
In Wing:
• Wing Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 66.
Representatives for the agencies listed may get detailed instructions on how to reapply for tax-exempt status by visiting www.councilofnonprofits.org/revocation or by contacting the Alabama Association of Nonprofits for assistance in applying for reinstatement at 205-879-4712.
City of Andalusia utilities officials are asking all of their customers to voluntarily reduce their use of water for the next three days in an effort to restore water pressure to the system.
Mayor Earl Johnson said there are a few places in town where there has been a noticeable drop in water pressure.
“It’s a situation where we knew we had to take action,” Johnson said. “If we don’t, we’ll be in a situation where we don’t have enough pressure to run the system.”
Consumers are being asked to not water their lawns, gardens and flowers for at least three days.
“We understand that people don’t want to lose their plants and lawns,” Johnson said. “But we think that’d be a whole lot better than not having water to drink or take a bath.”
Johnson said the city, likely the largest consumer of water for outdoor use, has already cuts its irrigation.
“We’ve got some places with new landscaping where water is critical, but we’ve cut, too,” he said.
Water operations manager Kenny Blackburn Reminded residents and business owners to turn off their sprinkler systems and to reduce water usage to only moinimum household needs.
“Your voluntary help will be greatly appreciated,” Blackburn said. “
“We are hopeful that this brief reduction of water usage will give the water system adequate time to improve the water pressure level,” he said.
Johnson said if local residents don’t voluntarily comply, the restrictions will become mandatory.
For additional information, contact the Utilities Department at 222-1332.
Andalusia Mayor Earl Johnson said water pressure in the city’s system is much improved, one day into a call for customers to voluntarily reduce their use of water through Saturday.
Consumers are being asked to not water their lawns, gardens and flowers until Sunday to give the system time to rebuild pressure which was lowered by significant use.
Johnson said if local residents don’t voluntarily comply, the restrictions will become mandatory.
For additional information, contact the Utilities Department at 222-1332.
Swimmers finally got a chance to cool off in the local waters of Cooper Pool as Tuesday marked the first official day of swim season for the City of Andalusia.
Mechanical issues closed Coleman Pool on Monday, which was orginally set to be the first day of public swimming.
Swim times are 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. daily. Coleman is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday and Cooper is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.