Andalusia Star News

The Andalusia City Council on Tuesday had the first look at its audit for fiscal year ending September 2016, which had no findings.

Melissa Pierce of Rabren, Odom, Pierce and Hayes reviewed the audit and said:

• The city increased its net worth in FYE 2016 by $1.2 million.
• Spent $200,000 more in FYE 2016 than in FYE 2015, which is a less than 1 percent increase, and hless than inflation.
• Absent restructuring its airport debt and adding $2 million in debt for its downtown projects, the city reduced long-term debt by $2.3 million, and is on track to retire approximately $8 million in long-term indebtedness in the current quadrennium.
• The city is already realizing a return on its investment in downtown for Big Mike’s and the Clark Theatres.

Mayor Earl Johnson said the council will likely receive and approve the final version of its audit at its next meeting.


Andalusia Star News

Andalusia Star News


Phillip McClung sings at last year’s July Jamz. Courtesy photo

In just a few short weeks, the lawn at Springdale will be filled with locals who will enjoy the sounds of music.

The third annual July Jamz summer concert series will begin July 6 and will be held every Thursday night during the month of July.

July Jamz is an event of the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Andalusia. Chamber of Commerce Assistant Director Maggie Jones said Friday that they have an excellent line-up for this year’s Jamz, with more acts to come.

On July 6, Today’s Yesterday Band will perform.

The band is from Opp and features Donnie and Danielle Wilson, Jason Short, PJ Parrish, Larry English and Skip Enzor.

On July 13, Issues will perform.

Issues features Scott Rogers, Phillip McClung, Zane Johnson and Jim Ed Brown.

On July 20, Tripp Bass’s band Just N’ Tyme will perform, as will Erica Franklin.

On July 27, Conner Sowards, Pieces of Patsalagi and 10-6 Upstairs will perform. Chamber of Commerce Assistant Director Maggie Jones said Friday that they have an excellent line-up for this year’s Jamz, with more acts to come.

On July 6, Today’s Yesterday Band will perform.

The band is from Opp and features Donnie and Danielle Wilson, Jason Short, PJ Parrish, Larry English and Skip Enzor.

On July 13, Issues will perform.

Issues features Scott Rogers, Phillip McClung, Zane Johnson and Jim Ed Brown.

On July 20, Tripp Bass’s band Just N’ Tyme will perform, as will Erica Franklin.

On July 27, Conner Sowards, Pieces of Patsalagi and 10-6 Upstairs will perform.

Andalusia Star News

Andalusia Star News

The City of Andalusia Department of Leisure Services recently announced the 2017 Dixie baseball and softball All-Star teams.

8U BOYS

Edward Bentley

Landen Butler

Jacob Douglas

Ashton Summers

William Grimes

Brayden Gunter

Sawyer Hardy

Thomas Lee

Nicholas Mullen

Noah Popwell

Brayden Ware

Grover Wells

Coach: Hunter Grimes

10U BOYS

Grayson Bush

Landon Caldwell

Cade Cassady

Riley Cravey

Noah Curry

Kielan Davis

Neilex Ferrell

Mason Meeks

Jacob Sellers

Mason Reed

Spencer Stroud

John Wheeler

Coach: Ashley Cravey

12U BOYS

Garrett Blackston

Bryan Conner

Max Davis

Frank Allen

Dylan Todd

Ty’Camren D’Rik

Mitchell Thomas

Aksh Dharmesh

Joshua Stuart

Aidan Carlson

Joseph Christian

Trent Avery Ziglar

Coach: Corey Brooks

10U GIRLS

Jaidyn Berry

Olivia Carvey

Staci Griffin

Tanailah Johnson

Kylee Lunsford

Gracyn Martin

Skyla Mothershed

Sarah Katherine Reese

Jaden Robertson

Emily Ruth

La’Niya Ward

Hanna Woorels

Coach: Jason Ruth

Andalusia Star News

Andalusia Star News

The Andalusia Stingrays swim team prepared for the upcoming season with a intrasquad meet on Tuesday evening at Cooper Pool.

“This is really more for the first year swimmers and their parents,” swim coach Gavin Donaldson said. “It gives them an idea of how the actual meets will go.”

Donaldson said the teams have been practicing for the past four weeks to prepare for the upcoming season.

“We have spent the past four weeks just building a base,” Donaldson said. “On Saturday, we had them working on starts and then they did kick sets for 2,000 yards.”

This season, Donaldson likes his team’s chances.

“I feel really good about the my returners,” Donaldson said. “The ones that are year-around swimmers, I pretty much know what I’m going to be getting out of them. I’m anxious to see what the ones that haven’t got in the pool for nine months are going to do.”

On Tuesday night, Donaldson was pleased with what he saw.

“Our endurance isn’t up to for as fast as this meet goes,” Donaldson said. “They going to get there. It takes a little time to get back in swimming shape.”

The Stingrays’ first meet will be Tuesday in Troy.

Andalusia Star News