By Daniel L. Bamberg
As the New Year becomes a reality, many will reflect on the year that was. There was a lot of local buzz during 2010. There were moments of change, triumph, strange occurrences, unique tales and tragedy. The following are the most memorable twenty stories covered by The Centreville Press in 2009 (reverse order).
The stories were selected based on criteria such as importance to the community, comments by the community received about them (whether by email, phone, visit or on the street), and memories of the composition process from the reporter.
To see the list click "the rest of the story" link below.
20. A Decade goes up in smoke
It was big, but only a marijuana drug bust in the north end of Bibb County this summer. So why does this one make the top twenty? According to police the accused was extremely cooperative, which is typically not the case in drug bust scenarios. What was even more surprising was the suspect’s honesty. The man explained to police that he’d been growing marijuana in his back yard and woods for ten years, before finally getting busted on that summer day of 2010. Here’s to a decade, up in smoke.
19. The high-speed paper chase
A man who was the suspected culprit in a series of stolen newspaper boxes was chased through Centreville and Brent in March. The chase eventually ended on Highway 5 in Brent when the suspect veered off the road. He was apprehended at the scene.
Police officers from all over the county along with State Troopers and Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Department had a hand in the effort to bring the dangerous high-speed chase to a end.
18. The Hybrid Schedule
The hybrid schedule story wasn’t really that big of a deal in actuality. Certainly there was some controversy with the Board of Education adopting the very unique concept in school routine, but that is not why this makes the list. It was the thick inaccurate rumor mill, which forced this story to look in detail at hard statistics and separate exaggeration from fact.
17. The bumbling story of a Woodstock burglar
While crime is certainly no laughing matter, there are some stories that one can’t help but wonder if certain criminals are ever a threat. Some criminals seem to lack common sense, take the subject of this story.
Here was a man who was shot by his own gun during an attempted robbery who hobbled back home and called 911 for help. When the police arrived not only did the thief fit the description of a robbery suspect but also was in possession of a camera, which fit the description of one burgled from the robbery scene. If that wasn’t enough, the digital camera’s memory had a photo of the robbery victim stored on it. When asked, “where’d you get this?” the robber replied, “I found that on the road.”
16. The character of the BCHS band
During the football season most band members are typically not given the spotlight. Football players and cheerleaders usually distract us from the importance of the band. This season however it was the character of Bibb County’s High School Band along with help from a West Blocton teacher which brought many citizens to their feet in applause.
Just before the school year began, band director, Sean Noah took a job elsewhere. Bibb County High School then hired his replacement, J.R. Austin, who resigned only 2 weeks into the football season leaving the BCHS band without a leader.
BCHS Principal Lee Van Fleet who has no musical training along with West Blocton Middle School teacher, Joanna Lowe helped lead the students. It appeared however that under the leadership of the senior drum major, Krista Elam the band became motivated to succeed. Many citizens remarked that the band actually sounded better without Austin in charge than they did during his short reign.
In October Candice Roberson, was named the new band director and the BCHS band hasn’t looked back since.
15. Cold Water Bridge Renovation
Thanks to Bibb County Engineer Steve Avery, the oldest traffic brige in the state got a makeover. Avery, whose wife has a love or history sought out a grant to renovate the bridge on Coldwater Rd. in Woodstock which was constructed 1898 and given concrete approach spans in 1927.
The bridge was closed for months during the process but now is fully renovated and an accessible, still in use historical monument for Woodstock’s citizens.
14. Maryland Genealogists trace roots back to Bibb County slaves
Who can forget the story of Richard Watkins and Ronnie Curtis Jr. These two genealogists traced down their relatives to Bibb County through complete accident. While searching for information on another relative they discovered record of Abraham and Milly Lightsey here in Bibb County.
The home of Alice Lightsey gave host to the two men from Maryland who discovered they had relatives, which were slaves at the old Lightsey homestead. According to the Lightsey’s the slaves at Lighsey’s Millpond were actually treated like part of the family. For Alice, and her family meeting with Richard and Ronnie was like seeing long lost family for the first time.
Curtis explained that tracing family beyond the days of emancipation was rare and explained the discovery of information on Abraham and Milly was a blessing.
Watkins and Curtis revisited Bibb County a few days after the day at Lightsey’s Millpond to take photos in front of the Courthouse in Centreville with them was an entire charter bus of family members they accumulated while telling their story at the Watkins family reunion in Montgomery.
13. Greg Blake elected Superintendent
While the controversy of the Superintendent’s race nearly consumed any positive aspects of Blake’s election, it didn’t eradicate it. This beloved West Blocton City Councilman andWest Blocton Middle School Assistant Principal defeated a man, Steve Morgan who had defeated incumbent, Don Elam by taking nearly ¾ of the vote during the primaries. That was only one part of the story however. Blake was elected as a Democrat candidate in a county that had turned nearly 70% Republican and he did it by winning all but 3 of 10 boxes throughout the county. He was the only Democrat elected to office in Bibb County.
12. Brent, Centreville, West Blocton, and Woodstock Homecomings
This was a time in the middle of all the controversy which occurred this year, when citizens came together for some of the classiest events pulled off by our county in ages. In honor of Bob Riley’s “Year of the small town.” Brent, Centreville, West Blocton, and Woodstock created events signifying their years of existence, their history, and honoring their citizens. West Blocton’s Wild West Days and McKinney’s annual Auto Show were conducted in conjunction with the dedication of a town plaque, afforded by the state.
Brent and Centreville partnered or their own homecoming, where victims of the 1973 tornado which changed the face of Brent forever were honored. Brent also held a concert for its citizens. Centreville dedicated Cecil Crews park to the memory of its founder, Cecil Crews who passed away only months prior.
For Brent and Centreville citizens the event was capped off by a fireworks display that still has folks buzzing to this day. In the end, the importance of community and our history outweighed our separations of whom we were voting for and whether or not we wanted to buy a beer inside the county.
11. Tina Brown walks for a cure
Anytime a citizen joins a cause, which sacrifices time and energy, it can be an inspiration. Such is the case for Woodstock resident, Tina Brown.
In June, Brown committed to joining the “Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for a Cure.” This October event is held annually in Atlanta Georgia in order to raise awareness and funds for Breast cancer research.
Participants in the event walk 60 miles in 3 days. Brown walked her 60 miles in on October 22nd – October 25th.
10. The Inspiration of Kylie Steele
She made headlines twice this year. Her story is well known throughout the community and has become one of tragedy turned inspiration. At only 3 years old Kylie Steele, who was diagnosed with cancer less than 6 months ago has one of the most heart warming smiles one can possess. It has been that smile perhaps which has motivated a community to get active and rally around this young daughter of Centreville Councilman / West Blocton High School coach David Steele and his wife Jennifer .
9. Man Fatally shot at Board of Education construction site
On Friday, October 8th, as the day was just beginning for most who work or attend school in Bibb County a man’s life was tragically snuffed out, literally at the back door of Bibb County High School.
47 year old, Israel Cid was fired on the previous day and returned to work that Friday morning shooting and instantly killing Thomas Banks of Northport. Bibb County Schools were locked down, as were Bibb Medical Center and other surrounding businesses. The shooter however never left the scene and was apprehended immediately by police.
8. The 129th Return Home
After a year in Iraq the 129th Medical Company of the Alabama Army National Guard returned home to a ceremony held at the Brent National Guard Armory. Citizens, dignitaries and of course the families of the soldiers turned out in droves to see the first glimpse of the buses as they passed by on Walnut Street. Then was the emotional and honorable relieving of active duty for these soldiers. All of which came to an end when their salutes became sprints to their closest loved ones, which displayed embraces that could bring anyone to tears. The Centreville Press was awarded first place for a photo taken from this event, at the annual Tribb Publications Better Newspapers Awards Banquet.
7. Kelsie Avery honored by South Bibb Dixie Youth
Kelsie Avery was only nine years old when he passed away in a drowning accident. In March during the opening ceremonies for the 2010 Dixie Youth Baseball season South Bibb Dixie Youth organizers honored the young boy who began playing at 3 years of age.
Kelsie’s parents, Kim Marsh and Chelsie Avery were presented a plaque and the season was dedicated to passed and beloved young boy with the winning smile.
6. Brent and Centreville go wet
Controversy? Look no further than this year’s most talked about story. Following petitions Brent and Centreville City Councils held a vote granting an opportunity for both cities to allow the legal sale of alcohol. Many in the community closely followed this story.
Citizens were torn. The editorial pages were riddled with writers pleading their differing points of view on the matter. It stirred heated arguments and even had some citizens concerned about church becoming too political. Meanwhile some churches were concerned that some Christians were too apathetic about what they believed was a serious threat to the community.
Brent citizen voted in favor of the legal sale, but initially it appeared Centreville would remain a dry city. Following investigation into how certain absentee ballots were received some of Centreville’s votes were thrown out. In the end, Centreville became wet. The tossing out of absentee ballots only added to the controversy.
5. New Bibb County Board Of Education Building
Two years ago the 98-year-old Bibb County Board of Education Building burned before the eyes of shocked and nostalgic citizens. The building had been a High School and Junior High School in the past. There weren’t very many Centreville or Brent adult citizens who had not attended school in some form within the structure.
In early December of this year, a new building was opened sitting atop the ruins of the old one. It is eerily similar in appearance. Amy Weaver of Centreville has made the inside a museum of Bibb County Schools history. The grand opening ceremony also marked Don Elam’s last public appearance as Superintendent of the Bibb County Board of Education.
4. The Bibb County Choctaws advance to semi-finals
In 2009 the BCHS football team was regarded the best team ever. They had been undefeated through the regular season and made it to a higher spot in the State Playoffs than any Choctaws team before them. So as the 2010 season began, the question was could this team do even better?
After defeating Escambia County in Atmore to advance from beyond the 3rd round and into the semi-finals history was made again. The 2010 Choctaws had eradicated a historical moment made just one year before. Unfortunately while many believed this would be Bibb County’s best year for the State Championship, the Choctaws were defeated in the semi-final match up by the now State 4A Champions, Thomasville.
3. April Weaver Elected State Representative
Hometown sweetheart, April Weaver knows about small town girl makes good. She may be having as VH1 would call it, “the best year ever.” Weaver whose small grassroots campaign for State Representative began with her husband, Dr. Daryly Weaver and what she calls, their Brady Bunch of kids.
Her road to Montgomery was all together inspiring for many Bibb Countians as her election not only sent the first local to seat 49 since Walter Owens, but Weaver is the first female from Bibb County to ever hold a state-wide office.
2. The Passing of Reverend Dickerson
Reverend W.D. Dickerson was not simply a preacher. To many he was a hero, a father figure, and a community leader. Dickerson who was honored just last year for being the pastor at Mt. Grove Missionary Baptist for 50 years, passed away on October 2nd.
Dickerson was important to the local civil rights movement in the 60s according to those who knew him, but in his later years he was known as a man who said what he thought God would have him say.
He was thought to be loving, compassionate, but also forward and honest. His life long service to God, family, and community earned him several recognitions including one from the White House.
1. Citizens stand up to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Story of the year? This all depends on whom you talk to. What this story did teach us was that when citizens are angry or concerned they will speak boldly and stand up for their own rights.
After the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began discussing their desire to expand the Cahaba River Refuge many landowners noticed the expansion would run through their own property. While the Service expressed repeatedly that they had no plans to run anyone off of the property involuntarily, citizens were concerned about the fact that the UFWS had the right to eminent domain.
In citizens flooded the gymnasium of Brent Elementary School to make their voice heard. Nearly every speaker who was not a member of the USFWS spoke against the idea of expansion. Each time a member of the service expressed that eminent domain was not an option, citizens shouted from the audience, with statements to suggest that they would not accept faulty lip service.
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