American Idol is making a comeback and there is a lot of excitement about this week’s auditions at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Here’s a few answers to the some of the important questions people are asking about the Thursday auditions:

Where will the American Idol auditions [...]]]>

Alabama Music Hall of Fame

American Idol is making a comeback and there is a lot of excitement about this week’s auditions at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.   Here’s a few answers to the some of the important questions people are asking about the Thursday auditions:

Where will the American Idol auditions be held? 617 US 72 West, Tuscumbia, at the Hall of Fame.

When should I line up for the auditions?
Registration and auditions will take place on the same day and you will audition on a first come, first served basis at Producer’s discretion.
Remember, auditions take place rain or shine! Audition start and finish times are subject to Producer’s sole discretion, but it is currently anticipated that auditions will start no later than 9:00 a.m. and will end no later than 5:00 p.m. on the audition day in each audition city. You will need to be in the area directed by Producer at that time. Even if you are in line before 9:00 a.m., Producer cannot guarantee that you will be seen for an audition, regardless of whether or not you have a wristband (or other form of identification provided by Producer) and/or seat ticket (if applicable). Some locations may prevent people from lining up before 6:00 a.m., so you must continue to check our website at www.abc.go.com/shows/american-idol DAILY for the most up-to-date audition schedule and information, including the time you need to be in line by. You should plan on arriving as early.
Producers reserve the right to audition people out of order of their place in line. THERE WILL BE NO OVERNIGHT CAMPING INSIDE OR OUTSIDE ANY OF THE LOCATIONS.

What do I do on audition day?
Once you have your wristband (or other form of ID provided by Producer) and seat ticket (if applicable), you and your one guest (if applicable; if you are a minor, your guest must be your parent or guardian – see Auditioners Under 18 Years of Age above) will need to return at the appointed time for your audition. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU BRING ALL APPLICABLE ITEMS LISTED IN THE REGISTRATION & AUDITION CHECKLIST BELOW. The auditions likely will begin sometime around 9:00 a.m. Audition start and/or finish times are at the discretion of the Producer. You will need to be in your assigned seat at the appointed time.
While waiting in line to register and audition, PLEASE BE COURTEOUS TO OTHER PEOPLE IN LINE. DO NOT CUT IN LINE. IF PRODUCERS DISCOVER THAT YOU HAVE CUT IN FRONT OF ANOTHER PERSON IN LINE, YOU WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE AUDITION PROCESS. Also, you may not hold a place in line for another person for an extended period of time.

What should I wear to the auditions?
Please do not wear any clothing or bring any items that have designer names, corporate or sports team names or logos, copyrighted images, celebrity names or images (living or dead), cartoon character images or inappropriate messages or words (for example, profanity). If you do wear such clothing, you may be required to remove it, turn it inside out or put on additional clothing to cover it. If you have any tattoos that contain any corporate or sports names or logos, copyrighted images, celebrity names or images (living or dead), cartoon character images or inappropriate message or words (for example, profanity), please cover the tattoo for your audition.

What should I sing at the auditions?
Be prepared to sing a song of your choice either a cappella (without music) or with your own instrumental accompaniment, e.g., a guitar. You should be prepared to sing at least two or possibly three songs. If you are called back to audition further, you may be asked again to sing two songs a cappella, one of which may or may not be from a list that will be provided to you by the Producer at that time. The other song, if requested by Producer, may be a song of your choice. All rules and procedures are subject to change at Producer’s sole and absolute discretion.

Will everyone in line have the opportunity to audition?
This will depend on how many people show up for the auditions. Although we would love to audition everyone who registers, it may be impossible given time constraints built into our schedule. There is no guarantee that everyone who registers will be given the opportunity to audition. If time is running short, Producer may select people to audition (regardless of how early they arrived) based on performing ability, style, personality and other factors, at Producer’s sole discretion.

Are auditions by appointment or is it “cattle call” style?
Auditions are not by appointment. All those auditioning in each city will appear at the same designated place during the times determined by the Producers. Producer may, at its sole and absolute discretion, select any eligible person to advance further in the audition process and/or participate in the American Idol® competition regardless of whether the eligible person has attended any of the audition cities listed above or auditioned in any other manner available.

What paperwork will I need?

See the checklist at http://www.abc.go.com/shows/american-idol

Source: ABC

Thursdays from 3PM-7PM

Florence, Alabama, May 11, 2017– The Market was created to provide a place for producers to

come together to provide access to locally grown and produced, healthful, and adorable food.

Founded by local farmers and producers, College Street Farmers Market opened its doors on

May 4, 2017 on 526 [...]]]>

Thursdays from 3PM-7PM

Florence, Alabama, May 11, 2017– The Market was created to provide a place for producers to

come together to provide access to locally grown and produced, healthful, and adorable food.

Founded by local farmers and producers, College Street Farmers Market opened its doors on

May 4, 2017 on 526 E. College St. in Florence, Alabama.

“If the vendor did not grow it, make it, or produce it, it will not be for sale

at College Street Producers Market.”

College Street Farmers Market will be operating from May until November on Thursdays from

3PM-7PM. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, sponsor, vendor, or would simply like

to donate to your local Market, please feel free to reach out via Facebook at College Street

Farmers Market, or the website, https://www.collegestreetmarket.org/.

At a meeting in Montgomery on Monday, April 3, members of the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) selected Rick Oates as the new State Forester for Alabama. His appointment was later confirmed by Gov. Robert Bentley. Beginning his duties on Monday, April 10, Oates replaces Gary M. Cole, who has served [...]]]>

Rick Oates

At a meeting in Montgomery on Monday, April 3, members of the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) selected Rick Oates as the new State Forester for Alabama. His appointment was later confirmed by Gov. Robert Bentley. Beginning his duties on Monday, April 10, Oates replaces Gary M. Cole, who has served as interim State Forester since October.
Most recently, Oates served as forestry division director at the Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA), where he was also executive director of the Alabama TREASURE Forest Association and director of the organization’s catfish and wildlife divisions. Prior to that, he served as chief of staff for the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Commissioner. He previously held several positions with the Alabama Forestry Association, including forest resource coordinator, regulatory affairs director, and executive director of both the Alabama Loggers Council and the Alabama Pulp & Paper Council.
As State Forester, Oates will oversee 232 employees of the state agency whose mission is to protect and sustain Alabama’s forest resources. The Commission has an annual budget of approximately $22 million. The AFC gained media attention last fall as Alabama’s frontline defense against numerous wildfires due to drought conditions.
Oates, 49, commented that he looks forward to the opportunities and challenges the new job brings. “Our state is blessed with more than 23 million acres of timberland, and about 87 percent belongs to private landowners,” Oates said. “Alabama forests are an economic engine providing hundreds of thousands of jobs in our state. They provide endless recreational opportunities for hunters and outdoorsmen and are a renewable natural resource.”
“Rick has a broad perspective of the many issues facing the forestry community in Alabama,” said AFC Chairman Jerry Dwyer. “His background in working with both private forest landowners and forest industry is crucial when you consider the important role they play in enhancing the State and its economy. His task will be daunting considering the many challenges the Forestry Commission is currently facing.” Dwyer continued, “State general funds have shrunk by fifty-five percent over the last ten years, impacting our ability to provide services related to protecting and sustaining our forests, as well as educating citizens about the importance of forests to the well-being of our great State. I am confident in Rick’s abilities as a leader and his genuine desire to have the Alabama Forestry Commission seen as the premier forestry agency in the country.”
A native of Corpus Christi, Texas, Oates received a bachelor’s degree in natural resources from The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, and a master’s degree in forestry from Auburn University. He and his wife, Kelly, live in Montgomery and have two children, Andrew and Lauren.

For more information about the Alabama Forestry Commission, visit http://www.forestry.alabama.gov/.

FLORENCE, Ala. — The University of North Alabama Board of Trustees voted Tuesday to accept an invitation from the Atlantic Sun Conference and begin the transition of UNA to an NCAA Division I institution.

UNA will begin its four-year transitional period into Division I in the Fall of 2018.

A charter member of the [...]]]>

FLORENCE, Ala. — The University of North Alabama Board of Trustees voted Tuesday to accept an invitation from the Atlantic Sun Conference and begin the transition of UNA to an NCAA Division I institution.

UNA will begin its four-year transitional period into Division I in the Fall of 2018.

A charter member of the Gulf South Conference and a member of the NCAA Division II since it was formed in 1972, UNA will remain in the GSC and Division II through the 2017-18 academic year.

North Alabama President Dr. Ken Kitts emphasized that the move is about the entire University and not just the athletic program.

“This is an exciting time for Lion athletics, the University as a whole, and the communities we serve,” said Kitts. “The move to Division I will help sustain enrollment, expand our fan base and bring much-needed visibility for this wonderful institution. We’re determined to spread the word about the amazing things we have going on at UNA, so if prospective students learn about us from a sports ticker, great! I’ve said many times that it’s “Our Time to Roar” at the University of North Alabama. Our move into the ASUN and the ranks of Division 1 athletics is a powerful way to underscore that message.”

Thirteen of North Alabama’s athletic teams will compete in the ASUN. The UNA football program will compete in the Big South Conference, which formed a football alliance with the Atlantic Sun earlier this year.
“I think this move will be transformational for our university,” Linder said. “We really appreciate Ted Gumbart (Atlantic Sun Conference Commissioner) and Kyle Kallander (Big South Conference Commissioner) working together to make this vision a reality for the University of North Alabama. We understand that both leagues are very strong academically and athletically and we want to be an active, engaged and sustained member. We look forward to building relationships with schools in the Atlantic Sun and the Big South.”

The Atlantic Sun Conference is a NCAA Division I league with eight member institutions. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the ASUN footprint reaches into seven of the top 50 media markets in the nation. The ASUN includes a blend of private and public institutions in the region: Florida Gulf Coast University (Fort Myers, Fla.), Jacksonville University (Jacksonville, Fla.), Kennesaw State University (Kennesaw, Ga.), Lipscomb University (Nashville, Tenn.), New Jersey Institute of Technology (Newark, N.J.), University of North Florida (Jacksonville, Fla.), University of South Carolina Upstate (Spartanburg, S.C.) and Stetson University (Lake City, Fla.).

“Today we cheer for University of North Alabama and for the ASUN Conference,” added Gumbart. “We have shared the recent steps in this journey with UNA and its leadership, and we are extremely pleased to be making this announcement official. On behalf of our Presidents’ Council and eight current member institutions, we welcome the Lions to the ASUN family. Congratulations on a step well-earned for the entire UNA community, and we look forward to being teammates in the support of your student-athletes, coaches and administrators for continued growth and success as members of the ASUN.”

Current Big South Conference football membership includes core members Charleston Southern University (Charleston, S.C.), Gardner-Webb University (Boiling Springs, N.C.), Liberty University (Lynchburg, Va.) and Presbyterian College (Clinton, S.C.), plus associate football-only institutions Kennesaw State University (Kennesaw, Ga.) and Monmouth University (West Long Branch, N.J.). Campbell University (Buies Creek, N.C.) will join the league as a football member in the fall of 2018.

The Big South has made three consecutive quarterfinal appearances in the FCS Playoffs, and recorded multiple postseason bids three times since the league first received an automatic bid in 2010. A Big South member has been ranked in the FCS top-25 for 75 consecutive weeks.

UNA has enjoyed tremendous athletic success, winning seven national championships, 29 regional titles and 69 conference championships, to go with a combined 122 earned team appearances in NCAA post-season tournaments or playoffs.

SHEFFIELD-Authorities think food served at a wedding held in Sheffield this past weekend, has resulted in at least 77 persons becoming ill with presumptive Salmonella gastroenteritis. Twelve persons were hospitalized at local hospitals due to the illness. All patients are recovering. Signs and symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain and some fever. The incubation [...]]]>

SHEFFIELD-Authorities think food served at a wedding held in Sheffield this past weekend, has resulted in at least 77 persons becoming ill with presumptive Salmonella gastroenteritis. Twelve persons were hospitalized at local hospitals due to the illness. All patients are recovering. Signs and symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain and some fever. The incubation period can range from 6 to 72 hours.
The Colbert County Health Department has been investigating this foodborne outbreak since
first receiving reports on Monday morning following standard outbreak procedures including
interviewing patients, obtaining patient specimens, inspecting the food source, and obtaining
food samples. Food and patient specimens have been processed by the Alabama Department
of Public Health’s laboratory. The laboratory has reported that initial patient specimens tested
presumptive positive for Salmonella. Food results are pending as it takes longer to process food
specimens. The caterer, Dalvin McDaniel, owner of Indelible Catering, is cooperating with the health department and is no longer preparing food.

Dr. Karen Landers, Assistant State Health Officer, states that the health department will
continue to follow up with patients and local health care facilities to ensure that affected patients
are interviewed.

“The health department’s priorities are the health of the patients, a thorough investigation, and
preventing any additional illness,” Dr. Landers said. “This was a private event with exposure to
the food over a specific time period. Therefore, there is no threat to the general public.”

To the Citizens of Florence:

A s I close out my term as Mayor, I want to say what an honor it has been to serve you. It has by far been the most challenging job I have ever held, but at the same time, it has been [...]]]>

Outgoing Florence Mayor Mickey Haddock

To the Citizens of Florence:

A s I close out my term as Mayor, I want to say what an honor it has been to serve you. It has by far been the most challenging job I have ever held, but at the same time, it has been the most rewarding. First, I want to thank my wife, Linda, and my family for their patience and strong support and encouragement during this time. Second, I want to thank the City Council for their cooperation and for the good rapport that we have shared. I believe we have made a positive impact and have set in motion several major projects that will continue to add to our already fabulous City. We have addressed smaller needs as well.

In looking back I was amazed at the progress we made…
We purchased property adjacent to the Police Department for them to expand their facility
Several Fire Stations have been upgraded and new generators were installed at every station
We purchased property on Royal Avenue next to the tennis courts and on the other side of the Royal Avenue Recreation Center parking lot which enabled us to add much-needed parking areas for Braly Stadium
We have made great improvements to the Memorial Grove to honor those who served
The Coffee Cemetery has been renovated which was accomplished with many, many volunteer hours especially by the Florence Historical Board members
We started the City Ambassador program where citizens could be certified as City Ambassadors to help promote the area
All drainage problems that we know of which were flooding into structures have been corrected
The new Hermitage Drive Bridge was completed in 2014
A new baseball pod was added to the Sportsplex
We were able to obtain ATRIP money for infrastructure
Wood Avenue has been resurfaced
East Tennessee Street Streetscape has been completed
The beautiful new Indian Mound Museum is almost finished
Business Licenses are now renewable online and Utility bills can also be paid online
The Electricity Department is moving toward being a service provider and has upgraded most of their facilities. They are also working on technology to allow citizens to be informed regarding power outages.
The Water Department has had more than $30 million worth of upgrades
We have converted our employee data base to a computerized program
We have established an employee wellness clinic called Care Here in an effort to offset the rising cost of our employee health insurance
I believe within the next 60-90 days we will have two major announcements for employment
The long-awaited ground-breaking for the new hospital was this week. This will certainly change Northwest Alabama for the better, and
We have laid the groundwork for our Bicentennial Celebration coming up in 2018.
In all of this, we were able to maintain a balanced budget for all four years. This could only be done through a joint effort of the City Council and especially with the strong cooperation of our Department Heads.

There is much more that we have been able to accomplish that has made the lives of our citizens better today than they were yesterday. According to our City Mission Statement – “The mission of our Florence City government is to enhance the quality of life of the citizens of the City by:
continuing to improve the governmental services presently provided to the citizens; anticipating the requirements of the citizens in the area of municipal government; meeting those requirements in a timely manner and at the lowest possible cost; and making Florence, in every way, as attractive as possible to present and future citizens”

I am so very proud to be a citizen of Florence and will continue to be involved in City. It has been a great honor to serve you as Mayor!

Mayor Mickey Haddock