By Scott Mims

Thorsby Police are investigating the apparent accidental shooting of a 12-year-old boy who was severely injured Saturday night.

At approximately 6:12 p.m., Thorsby Police, Thorsby Fire and Rescue and RPS ambulance responded to a report of a gunshot victim in the 900th block of Third Street in Thorsby. Upon arrival, they found a 12-year-old boy with what appeared to be a single gunshot wound to the head.

Reports indicated the boy was home alone at the time of the incident. The gun, a .38 caliber revolver, was found in the room with the child.

The victim was transported via RPS ambulance to Children’s Hospital in Birmingham. Lifesaver helicopter was called but could not fly due to inclement weather.

“At this time it appears the shooting was accidental,” said Thorsby Assistant Police Chief Rick Simmons. “There’s nothing to indicate anyone else was involved.”

In a statement released by Thorsby Police, the older brother of the victim had said his brother (the victim) was OK when he left to pick up their mother from work. Upon their return, they found the boy on the floor and called authorities.

Details of the event are still under investigation by the Thorsby Police Department. As of Monday, the child was being treated at Children’s Hospital.

Simmons did not know the boy’s official condition but said the injuries were severe.

By Stephen Dawkins

With the council chambers inside the Jemison Municipal Complex almost filled to capacity, the city’s council spent most of Monday’s meeting recognizing some of the community’s most outstanding members.

“I think this is the first time since we’ve been in the new building that we’ve had a packed house,” Jemison Mayor Eddie Reed said about the more than 50 people in attendance.

First up was Jemison Elementary School teacher Christin Starr Bashaw, who was named Chilton County Teacher of the Year. Bashaw was presented a plaque by the council.

Next was Tommy Lenoir, coach of Jemison’s 12-year-old Dizzy Dean baseball all-star team. The team over the weekend was invited to participate in the Dizzy Dean World Series tournament, a trip that Lenoir estimated would cost from $5,000-$8,000.

The council voted to donate $2,000, and state representative Jimmy Martin made contributions of both state funds and his own money.

“I have been astounded at how the community has responded to this,” Lenoir said. “We’re living a pipe dream, so we don’t want to come back with anything less than a World Series championship.”

Martin also presented a grant for $25,000 to the Jemison Police Department for the installation of e-ticket hardware in police cruisers.

After most of the 50 attendees had taken their leaves, the council got down to more pressing business.

Reed told three members of the Oak Grove community that roads in their area could be paved as soon as Friday.

Donna Bice presented a petition to the council that included the signatures of six residents on Railroad Street, asking that a speed breaker be installed on their road. The council voted to grant their request.

The council also approved Tammy Miller as court clerk/magistrate for Jemison Municipal Court and approved Shelia Hogge as the new city clerk, replacing Mary Ellison, who is retiring.

“We look forward to working with Ms. Hogge, and we would like thank Ms. Ellison for her years of service,” Reed said.

The council voted to approve a vehicle belonging to the police department as salvage. People now have the opportunity to place bids on the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria, which will be displayed near city hall.

Lastly, the council adjusted the water bill of Betty Adams before voting to pay the bills and adjourning.

By Stephen Dawkins

Jemison’s 12-year-old all-star baseball team was still in a good mood after it was eliminated from the Dizzy Dean state tournament last week.
That’s because the team had been invited to compete in this weekend’s World Series in Southaven, Miss., after defeating defending state and World Series champion Northport National, 11-5, on Wednesday.
Coach Tommy Lenoir said he thinks the trip would mark the first time a Jemison team, regardless of age, has represented the state in a national tournament.
“It’s a huge, huge honor for our kids,” Lenoir said. “They’ve been practicing since the first week of March; they deserve it. So many people have put in so much-it makes it worth it.”
Lenoir said the top two or three teams from each state tournament are usually invited to the Dizzy Dean World Series, but Jemison drew an offer while there were still four teams left in the state tournament, being played in Columbiana.
Jemison was knocked out of the state tournament on Friday by Jackson County, 15-13, after drawing the World Series invitation two days earlier.
Trea Sanders hit five—three of which were grand slams—home runs in the state tournament. Also going yard were Phillip Lenoir, Will Lenoir (twins that homered in the same game, the win over Northport), Logan Ray and Conner Nason.
Compiling the team’s top batting averages were Phillip Lenoir (.800), Ray (.600), Nason (.579), Matthew Ramsey (.550) and Sanders (.529).
Lenoir said the team will need help raising money for the trip to the World Series and said anyone interested in helping should call him at 688-1115.
“We’ve got a lot to do, but we’re excited about being able to do this for our kids,” Lenoir said.

By Stephen Dawkins

A course hosted by the Jemison Fire Department will offer local volunteer firefighters the opportunity to become certified.
The 160-hour training course, taught by JFD Chief John Dennis, who is also an adjunct instructor with the Alabama Fire College, will put volunteers a five-week bridge program away from state certification.
“It’s the same thing they would be getting if they went to recruit school,” Dennis said about the course in Jemison. “Anybody can grab a hose, turn the water on and spray water on a fire. After this course, they’ll actually have an understanding of how fire behaves—be able to anticipate what’s going to happen next based on building layouts and save as much of the structure as possible.”
A representative from the state fire college registers participants for each block, stops by throughout to check on the material being taught and administers the written test at the end of each block.
The course was taught last year for the first time, and Dennis said he would like to make it an annual or every-other-year event.
Thirty-two firefighters from 11 different departments registered last year, Dennis said, and 23 completed the course.
Eighteen firefighters from five departments—Jemison, Collins Chapel, East Chilton and Gap of the Mountain departments—have already registered for this year’s course. Dennis said enrollment will be limited to 25.
“It’s just hard to get all the skills done with that many people out there,” Dennis said.
The course will comprise four 40-hour blocks: History and Introduction to Fire Service (to be taught beginning Aug. 3), Basic Firefighting Skills (September), Advanced Firefighting Skills (October), and Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations (November).
For more information about the course or to register, call Dennis at (205) 287-1791.

By Stephen Dawkins

After struggling in its first game of the Dizzy Dean state tournament in Columbiana, Jemison’s 12-year-old baseball all-stars have found their strokes.
The team lost to Huffman, 17-9, in its first game of the tournament but then defeated Calera, 10-0, and Albertville, 22-5, on Monday.
The difference in Jemison’s first two games was defense. Jemison committed nine errors against Huffman but only two errors against Calera.
“We had played Huffman before and beat them; it was always a close game,” Jemison coach Tommy Lenoir said. “It wasn’t that we were playing a team that we’d never played before or that we didn’t know anything about. We would just make two or three errors, and then it’s tough to get it going again.”
Jemison was down 12-2 at one point before fighting back with six runs, but more errors doomed the comeback effort.
Lenoir said his team’s defense has been inconsistent during every postseason tournament, but both the hitting and pitching have been strong throughout.
That was the case again Sunday. Phillip Lenoir (three innings pitched, one hit, four strikeouts) and Banks Woodley (one inning pitched, one hit, two strikeouts) combined to shut out Calera.
Trea Sanders hit two home runs in two at-bats. One was a solo shot, and the other was a grand slam.
Matthew Ramsey and Phillip Lenoir also went 2-for-2 in the game. Ramsey scored two runs, and Lenoir scored one run.
Jemison pounded out 17 hits on Monday. Phillip Lenoir went 4-for-4 with four runs scored, and Conner Nason was 3-for-4 with a home run.
“We hit the ball tonight,” Tommy Lenoir said. “The bats came alive. We’ve been waiting 20 or 30 games for them to hit like that.”
Will Lenoir, Logan Ray and Lance Poe also had multi-hit games.
Trevor Wallace was the winning pitcher, allowing only three hits.
Clay Cunningham pitched one inning in relief of Wallace.
Jemison plays Chelsea tomorrow at 8 p.m.

By Scott Mims

Nearly 20 people were in attendance Saturday for the dedication of Thorsby’s Scandinavian Cemetery and the unveiling of a historical marker at the site, located on County Road 37.

Among those present were descendants, members of the Thorsby Historical Preservation Committee, other citizens, and representatives of the Alabama Historical Commission and the Alabama Cemetery Preservation Alliance.

“Someone is to be congratulated. The cemetery is beautiful,” said Tom Wingfield, who made the trip from Atlanta with his wife, Carolyn.

Wingfield has several family members buried in the cemetery, including both sets of great grandparents. His great aunt was the organist in the Concordia Lutheran Church, the church that once owned the cemetery.

Wingfield said the last time he visited the site was in 2003, and his recollection was of an old, grown-up cemetery. But Saturday, he said, was a different story.

“It’s gorgeous now,” he said.

Ralph Mason, whose grandparents, Rueben and Charlotte Foss, are buried there, was grateful to the town of Thorsby and the organizations and volunteers that helped turn the site into something to be proud of again.

“It’s a great heritage, and I can’t commend them enough for taking care of this cemetery and promoting the Swedish history of Thorsby,” he said. “It just makes you feel really good.”

Lee Anne Wofford of the state Historical Commission was accompanied by Phyllis Armstrong of the state Cemetery Preservation Alliance.

“Not everybody gets one of these,” Wofford said of the marker, which is given only to sites listed on the state historic register.

Tracia Bussey of the town’s preservation committee recognized the Chilton Cemetery Association for being proactive in getting the site listed. She also thanked town leaders and others who assisted.

“It’s a tranquil place to come out and just spend a little time,” Bussey said.

The following is the text as it appears on the historic marker:

“In 1896, Swedish settlers organized the Concordia Lutheran Church and acquired this land for the Concordia Cemetery, later known as the Lutheran Cemetery. This is the former site of Stassburg School. In the 1980s it became known as the Scandinavian Cemetery since most of those laid to rest here were Lutherans, not only of Swedish descent, but also of Norwegian, Danish and Finnish. They were primarily from the upper mid-western United States and desired a better climate and living conditions to work in and raise their families. They cleared the land, built homes, planted orchards and vineyards, established businesses, schools and churches. They developed a thriving town where they enjoyed social gatherings, band concerts, festive celebrations, and built lifelong friendships. This marker was placed here in 2010 by descendants of the Scandinavians laid to rest here and by the Thorsby Historical Preservation Committee to remember these people who founded the town of Thorsby.”

By Stephen Dawkins

Seven players on the Jemison 12-year-old baseball all-stars are listed as pitchers.
This weekend, the team might need every one of them.
The youth all-stars are competing in the Dizzy Dean state tournament in Columbiana, beginning with a game against Huffman at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Jemison has played about 20 games already this summer and could play 10 more in the double-elimination state tournament. The workload, combined with Dizzy Dean’s strict pitching rules, makes pitching a premium in the tournament.
Jemison coach Tommy Lenoir said pitching, fortunately, has been a strength for his team.
“They’re doing very well,” he said. “We’re pleased with all of them. We’ve had good control, throwing more strikes than balls.”
Jemison—which includes only one player, Trevor Wallace of Maplesville, from outside the city—has also swung the bats well. Lenoir said the team is especially adept at making contact.
“They do a pretty good job of putting the ball in play, not striking out, and taking advantage of the other team’s defensive mistakes,” Lenoir said.
Lenoir said Jemison has a team batting average of at least .380.
Jemison will have to play its best baseball of the summer to have a chance against the competition that will be featured in the state tournament. If Jemison wins its first game on Saturday, it would play again at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. If Jemison loses, the next game would be 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
“They’re ready to go,” Lenoir said. “They’ve played a lot of baseball, but they’re still excited.”
Lenoir thanked the parents and his assistant coaches for the help they’ve offered and the sacrifices they’ve made.
Jemison advanced to state by finishing second in the regional tournament in Asheville. Jemison defeated Chelsea, Moody and Vincent but lost to eventual regional champion Chelsea twice on June 29.

By Lisa Moon

I think we can all remember a teacher that made a difference in our lives.

Thorsby School teacher Angie Barnett is one of those teachers. While watching “The Oprah Winfrey Show” one day, she saw a program designed to teach children awareness about the dangers of and the lures used by predators to abduct children.

At the time, she was also reading a book by John Walsh about the abduction of his son, Adam. She couldn’t imagine how anyone could live through the heartache of losing a child that way.

Right away, Barnett started teaching the basics of what has become the Safeguarding Kids Is Priority program to her own children at home while she waited for her information packet to arrive in the mail. She then got together with the other teachers, and later with parents, to discuss bringing the program to Thorsby. The program got 100 percent participation from the other kindergarten through sixth-grade teachers.

“It has progressed from, ‘let’s try this,’ to something we do. It is part of Thorsby now,” Barnett said. “The program teaches kids to be aware of their surroundings and the actions of others.”

An example of the kinds of things Barnett considers important to teach is for kids to know that abuse is not their fault and to teach them that they can talk to their parents and teachers about these kinds of things.

Safety Day, held last May, was the conclusion of the two-week training program. The Chilton County K-9 patrol and Special Operations Units were on hand as well as Operation Lifesaver and Thorsby fire and police departments.

“It is important the students know that we are approachable,” Thorsby Chief of Police Rodney Barnett said.
Angie Barnett said she would like to see other schools get involved in the SKIP program. They can do so by logging on to www.childluresprevention.com.
“It takes time (to do the program), but when you hear about an abduction or abuse, you have to think: What if that was my child?,” Barnett said.

By Lisa Moon

In the center of the town of Thorsby sits a park across the street from City Hall on U.S. Highway 31. The beautiful park started out as a mobile home park people refer to as being ‘rough.’ When the mobile home park went up for sale, the town quickly bought it. The land was turned into a well-manicured recreational park that gets used everyday. The town named the park after one of its favorite citizens, Richard Wood of Wood Drug Company.

“He was always a good person,” says Joni Wyatt, about the former pharmacist. “He would help anyone.”

Wood took care of the good folks of Thorsby, and they take good care of his park.
In all types of weather, people can be seen walking on the winding trail that wraps around the park. On the hottest days, people come to walk under the beautiful shade trees. Even during the worst storms, raincoat-clad walkers can be seen making their laps to the amazement of most.

“We love that it is not a continuous circle,” says Becky Garrison, who walks the park several times a week with her friend, Angela Hicks. They walk together to catch up on things. The children – Abby and Kaitlyn Garrison and Rianna Green – walk with them. The girls love the big trees.

Hope Falotico brings her boys – Anthony, Balen and Chandler – a few times a week to run and play in the park. She says that the park never makes her feel nervous like some other parks do.

“It feels safe, not isolated,” she says, as she gives Anthony another push on the swing.

On July third everyone meets in the park to celebrate our nation’s independence. In October, the town hosts the Swedish Festival to celebrate the town’s Swedish heritage. The Thorsby football team can be seen running laps under the shade trees. There are too many events held in the park to mention. It is truly a park the late Richard Wood and his lovely wife Julia can be very proud of, as well as the citizens of Thorsby.

By Scott Mims

The Thorsby Town Council passed a resolution Tuesday night applying for a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant to replace the bridge on West Medical Center Drive.

The vote followed a public hearing held last week to gather input from citizens. No one in attendance at the hearing opposed the town’s proposal to replace the bridge.

If the grant were awarded, the town would provide a cash match of $4,639.75 in support of the project.

“Currently, the bridge lacks adequate weight requirements to legally carry school buses, service vehicles or emergency vehicles,” wrote Mayor Dearl Hilyer in a letter to Doni Ingram, director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).

Hilyer was absent at Tuesday night’s meeting because he was on vacation. Council member Jean Nelson sat in for the mayor.

The council also approved a citizen participation plan stating how the public hearing, advertising and other aspects of the grant application process were handled.

In other business, Council member Tara Jewell announced a reminder that Bluegrass in the Park featuring G2 Bluegrass Band from Sweden will be Thursday, July 8 in Richard Wood Park from 7-9 p.m.

Movies in the Park will resume Friday at 8 p.m. with the film “Planet 51.” This will also be held at Richard Wood Park. Fire Chief Lee Gunn said attendance at this year’s movie events has averaged between 300 and 350 people.

Also, at the request of Police Chief Rodney Barnett, the council voted to let Billy Shields attend an educational course in Mississippi at no cost aside from transportation and lodging.