Thomasville

Explosion at L-P mill injures six

By Arthur McLean Editor — 05/08/2008

An explosion at Louisiana- Pacific's Clarke OSB mill south of Thomasville early Wednesday morning injured six workers, and has temporarily shut the plant down. The Thomasville Volunteer Fire Department was called to the scene at 1:56 a.m. Wednesday morning but the page firefighters received was for a brush fire, so the first truck on scene was a brush truck.

Unusual snake donated to U. of Alabama

By Anne Williamson Times Staff Writer — 05/08/2008

Recently Brent Parnell of Magnolia caught a snake near his home he knew was special. Hognose snakes aren't all that uncommon, but this particular one was so light in color it almost looked like an albino.

Julie Dozier is Clarke Jr. Miss

05/08/2008

PHOTO BY JIM COX The 2009 Clarke County Junior Miss program was held Saturday night at Sage Auditorium in Grove Hill and 13 young ladies from around the county competed for the title. Julie Dozier of Thomasville High School was selected the new Clarke County Junior Miss. All of the top winners are pictured. From left, Lexie Stewart of Jackson High School, third runner-up; Anna Kate Mullinix of Solid Rock Christian School, first runner-up; Junior Miss Julie Dozier; Lindsay Jordan of Clarke Prep School, second runner-up; and Keely Williams of Jackson High School, fourth runner-up.

Thomasville students win two out of past three years

By Jim Cox Co-Publisher — 05/08/2008

Julie Dozier of Thomasville High School won the title of Clarke County Junior Miss Saturday night at Sage Auditorium in Grove Hill. Thirteen high school juniors from around the county competed for the title. Dozier is the daughter of Drs. Frank and Daveta Dozier.

Mailbox vandals nabbed

By Barry H. Hendrix Contributing Writer — 05/08/2008

An 18-year-old from Grove Hill and a 17-year-old juvenile were arrested May 1 for a twoweek vandalism spree in Clarke County. "A couple of weeks ago, we started getting calls from different places saying mailboxes were being destroyed," said Chief Investigator Ron Baggette of the Clarke County Sheriff's Department.

Correction

05/08/2008

Joel Marvin Thompson was not one of those arrested during a drug bust in Fulton as reported last week. Thompson was already in the Clarke County Jail on another charge, and his arrest had no connection to the drug bust. There were only eight people arrested in the raid, not 13 as reported.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

05/08/2008

Retired educators meeting The Clarke County Education Retirees Association will hold its final meeting for the 2007- 2008 year, at 11:45 a.m., Thursday, May 15, at Gaston's Grill in Thomasville. Hostesses for the meeting will be Lena Carol Bishop, Alberta Dixon, Betty Heaton, Arengia Knight and Mirkerline Talley. Officers for 2008-2010 will be installed.

Softball is better than political hardball

05/08/2008

Thomasville High School's softball team is still alive in the state playoffs, having defeated Opp in the sub-state pairings. Here's wishing them continued success in the rest of the playoffs. State budget The Senate gave final approval to the state budget covering non-education agencies this week.

Cartoon

05/08/2008

State's credit card approach to budgetting

05/08/2008

Last year legislators gave education employees a 7 percent pay raise. There wasn't enough available in the General Fund Budget to give state workers 7 percent, so they gave them 3.5 percent starting last October and put the rest on the state's credit card to kick in October of 2008.

Always close to the low point

Arthur McLean — 05/08/2008

If you haven't heard the flap over the Annie Leibovitz' pictures of young star Miley Cyrus, don't waste your time. But news stories covering that topic were the second most popular when I looked at a list of the most popular stories on Google the other day.

Improvements march on

The late Earl Tucker — 05/08/2008

May 7, 1958 Every now and then I get to thinking about how we Americans have never seemed to pay adequate tribute to the scientists and mechanics and chemists who have improved on things other people have invented School children are taught all about Edison, Watt, Fulton, Whitney, Marconi, the Wright brothers and other famous inventors, but they know mighty little,

Relay for Life a success thanks to you

05/08/2008

Dear Editor: I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all the volunteers who worked so hard to make Thomasville's 2008 Relay for Life a success. An event like this is possible only through the efforts of many caring, dedicated people.

Ribbon cut at Boardwalk Cottages

05/08/2008

PHOTO BY ARTHUR MCLEAN The Southwest Alabama Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting at the Boardwalk Cottages development in downtown Thomasville last week. The first phase of five historically inspired homes was completed earlier this year.

Florida bear found in C'ville

05/08/2008

PHOTO BY VANCE WOOD - ALA. CONSERVATION DEPT. This black bear was captured by conservation officers around midnight Friday near Cirrus Road north of Coffeeville after it entered a residence and scared the occupants. The bear had been tagged in January near Carrabelle, Fla. after its mother had been run over and killed by a car and it apparently had traveled over 300 miles from there to the Coffeeville area. Sandra Laster and her daughter had left their door opened and were cooking supper when they found the bear inside the house Friday. Conservation officer Vance Wood said the bear did not appear to be aggressive and apparently smelled the food and was only looking for something to eat. The animal, estimated at about 115 pounds and standing about three feet flat-footed, fled the house but was later captured. He was tranquilized and released in a different area. Other bears have been reported in this same area about five miles north of Coffeeville and Amanda Laster, Sandra's sister who lives nearby, had a bear walk into her house one evening also. Conservation officers caution citizens not to panic and not to harm the bears but not to leave their doors open or to leave garbage nearby that would attract them.

Jacksons wed 65 years

05/08/2008

Mr. and Mrs. Joe Edward Jackson of Thomasville celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with their family at Ezell's Fish Camp in Lavaca. The couple, who was married April 29, 1943, have three children, Gary Joe (Judy) Jackson of Thomasville, Joan (Gerald) Stephens of Thomasville and Karen (Olen) Kirby of Demopolis.

THS class of '52 reunion

05/08/2008

The Thomasville High School class of 1952 held its 56th class reunion at Gaston's Grill in Thomasville Saturday, April 26. The following attended, first row, from left: Carroll Scarbrough, Charles Lyles and Bobby Reid. Second row: Charles Ray Larrimore, Jean Singleton, Kenton Brasell, Janiece Nichols, Dot Champion, Janet Reynolds and Dottie Mae Hudgens. Third row: Pete Sheehan, John Harrison, Phillip Nichols, Georgia Mae McGee, Ouida McIntyre, Winnie B. Anderson and John Brantley.

Cozy Quilters tour civic center

05/08/2008

The Cozy Quilters were given a tour of the new civic center in Thomasville. Mayor Sheldon Day lead the group on a stroll to the updated futurelooking forward to "Southern Culture" being brought to Thomasville and performed from the new state-of-the-art stage of the renovated auditorium, with plush extra wide seats.

97th birthday

05/08/2008

Flora Morgan of Pine Hill celebrated her 97th birthday on April 23. Mrs. Morgan was joined by friends and family at her home for cake and ice cream.

Jacob Michael Jones born

05/08/2008

Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Jones (nee Abby Edge) of Jackson announce the arrival of a son, Jacob Michael Jones, born April 23, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. at Mobile Infirmary Medical Center. Jacob weighed 9 pounds, 6 ounces and measured 22 inches long. He is welcomed home by his 3-year-old brother, Zachary.

Davises announce birth

05/08/2008

Mr. and Mrs. Mike Davis (nee Debbie Powell) of Thomasville announce the birth of a daughter, Kelsen-Ann Larsyn Davis at 6:29 p.m., April 17, 2008 at Springhill Memorial Hospital. She weighed 9 pounds, 3 ounces and was 20 inches long.

Young photographer has strong showing in contest

05/08/2008

Am Thornhill, granddaughter of Kathy Roberts of Thomasville, had a strong showing in this year's "Photography In Your Own Back Yard" Contest. This Contest is Sponsered by the Grove Hill Arts Council and the Thomasville Arts Council.

Corrie Allen honored by DAR

05/08/2008

Corrie Allen is the Clarke Prep School recipient of the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Award. Eligibility requirements for this honor include dependability, service, leadership and patriotism. The DAR Good Citizen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

Brownie troop plants trees on Earth Day

05/08/2008

Brownie Girl Scout Troop 8557 recently celebrated Earth Day by planting 11 trees at Camp Sid Edmonds in Bay Minette. The girls learned about identifying trees, the benefits of trees and environmental conservation. Pictured are Renetha Woods, Amy Hunt, Destiny Overton and Breanna Knox. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

May Day at McFadden

05/08/2008

The May Day family fun day and softball tournament was held at McFadden Park in Thomasville over the weekend. Teams from around the Thomasville area and up to Linden participated. The LIFE Tech center also fielded a team (above right) for the tourney.

Pine Hill Relay for Life

05/08/2008

Pine Hill held its Relay for Life wrap up event Saturday evening. The fundraising is still being tallied but by Saturday evening the town's Relay teams had raised about $48,000.

Watch for divine appointments

Pat Ozment Jr. IMB Missionary to Ghana — 05/08/2008

Dr. Henry Blackaby was correct in saying, "God is working all around us, all the time." Once I heard Dr. Jerry Vines preach on "Divine Appointments," from Acts 8:26-40, about Philip's "divine appointment" with a man from Ethiopia.

CHURCH CALENDAR

05/08/2008

Oak Grove clean-up day Oak Grove Baptist Church located in the Chilton community will have a clean-up day Saturday, May 10 at 8 a.m. Anyone with a family grave are asked to help and asked not to place glass containers in the cemetery.

TBC members take trip to EXPLORATIONS IN ANTIQUITY CENTER

05/08/2008

Dr. James Best and 17 members of the Thomasville Baptist Church Fellowship Club attended the Explorations in Antiquity Center in LaGrange, Ga., April 24 and 25. The group enjoyed seeing the history of Biblican times. One of the highlights of the trip was the Biblical meal they were served. Members of the group who attended, in no order, are: Dr. James and Bobbie Best, Dennis and Elaine Hathcock, Elizabeth Forehand, Jean Claire Mott, Ann and Dennis Dixon, Clyde and Joye Gaddy, Pete and Betty Harris, Jessie Stringer, Ann Dozier, Elinor Ott, Hazel Duncan, Pat DeLoach and Judy Hamilton.

Pineview Sunday School

05/08/2008

Sunday, May 4 Windell Sheffield, Joe Clayton, Robert Dement, Clarence Newton, Ben Pugh, Winston Parden, Frank Jackson, Cliff Scarbrough, Jack Day, Billy Kennedy, John Reaves, John Wayne Overstreet and Frank Robison.

Take ACT this summer

Katie Simon — 05/08/2008

Seniors have at last reached their LAST full week of their LAST year of high school! The evidence is not just in the calendar. As excitement and anticipation mount higher and higher, it is obvious that the last day couldn't come soon enough. Thankfully, the waiting will soon end.

Lastest scholarships announced THS totals rise to $575K

05/08/2008

Sandra Williams, academic counselor at Thomasville High School, stated 2008 seniors at THS have now received approximately $575,000 in scholarship money to attend college. The latest scholarships to be announced include the following.

Fendley, Parker selected as Girls and Boys State Reps

05/08/2008

Paula Fendley and Woods Parker have been chosen to be Thomasville High School's Girls and Boys State representatives for 2008. They were chosen on their academic standings, community involvement, leadership and personal integrity.

Students attend Legislative Day

05/08/2008

The Leadership Community Bankers division of the Community Bankers Association of Alabama held its annual Legislative Day in Montgomery.

Order school toolboxes before May 20

05/08/2008

School toolboxes go on sale at Thomasville Elementary School next week for rising first through fourth graders. The boxes include all the school supplies the students need for the beginning of the 2008- 2009 school year and will be delivered to the school before the beginning of the school year. The deadline for ordering is May 20.

Ervin students tour Tuskegee Institute

05/08/2008

The sixth grade class of F.S. Ervin Elementary School traveled to Tuskegee recently for a day-long sight-seeing adventure. First stop on the tour was the George Washington Carver Museum, where students gained great insight into the life and works of Dr. Carver. The students learned that Carver's life stood out as an example of selfless service.

Ludlow moves up to national competition

05/08/2008

Thomasville High School's Future Business Leaders of America attended the State Online Competition held in Birmingham recently. Carli Ludlow, a member, placed first in the FBLA Principles and Procedures event. She will now move up to the national level, which will be held in Atlanta, Ga. in June. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Summer library program kicks off with volunteer banquet

05/08/2008

Thomasville Public Library hosted a volunteer banquet at The Garden Monday, April 28. Volunteers pictured are Kristen Slade, Sarah Gunter, Autumn Chaney, Peyton Thompson, Sally White, Dylan Barkley, Tyler Prescott and Ryan Chaney.

Ackerman receives $18K scholarship

05/08/2008

Thomasville, a senior at Clarke Prep School in Grove Hill, has been awarded an $18,000 Dean's Scholarship to attend the University of Mobile. The Dean's Scholarship is awarded in recognition of the deans of the College of Arts and Sciences and the schools of Business, Christian Studies, Education and Nursing.

National Merit scholarship recipient

05/08/2008

Jeremy C. Culver, of Gulf Shores High School is one of 35 Alabama students to receive a National Merit college scholarship. He plans to study medicine. Culver is the grandson of Alex and Betty Cassity of Thomasville.

SWHS graduation set May 23

05/08/2008

Sweet Water High School commencement exercises will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, May 23, at the high school gymnasium. Valedictorian is Rachel Davis and salutatorian is Drew Luker. Class song is "I Believe" by Fantasia Barrino, class colors are brown and ivory and the flower is the yellow rose.

Lady Tigers sweep through sectionals

By Charlie Anderson Contributing Writer — 05/08/2008

The Thomasville High School Lady Tigers moved one step closer to competing for a 4A State Championship this past Thursday, May 1, when they captured first place in the Sectional Tournament held in Thomasville.

Always prepared

Charlie Anderson — 05/08/2008

One of the mottos often attributed to the Boy Scouts of America is "Always Prepared". In addition to being something that might sound good in literature promoting the program, it is also a goal that each person who becomes part of the program is encouraged to strive for.

Football spring jamboree set for Friday night

By Charlie Anderson Contributing Writer — 05/08/2008

If the Thomasville Tiger coaching staff was hoping to use their limited spring football practice days and spring game to help them develop some depth, they very well might be getting their wish, just not exactly how they planned it.

Lady Tigers crush the Blue Devils

By Charlie Anderson Contributing Writer — 05/08/2008

The Thomasville High School Lady Tiger varsity softball team pounded out 27 hits on its way to a 21 - 3 win over the Lady Blue Devils from Escambia County High School last Tuesday, April 29. In the game, which was played in Thomasville, the Blue Devils actually had a 3 - 2 lead until the third inning but from that point on it was all Thomasville.

Lyles' good gobbler

05/08/2008

Trey Lyles of Thomasville killed this turkey around April 12. It weighed 21-1/2 pounds, had a 10-1/2 inch beard and a 1-1/16 inch spur. Lyles said the bird gobbled 30 to 40 times before he killed it about 9 o'clock in the morning.

New scoreboard's a winner

05/08/2008

The Thomasville Parks and Recreaton Board installed a new and improved scoreboard at the softball field recently after the previous scoreboard was destroyed by

Lady Tiger JV wraps up its season

By Charlie Anderson Contributing Writer — 05/08/2008

The Thomasville High School Lady Tiger JV softball team ended its season this past Tuesday, April 29, with a convincing 19 - 0 win over the visiting Escambia County Lady Blue Devil JV. In the win, which brought the Lady Tiger JV to a 12 - 6 - 1 season mark, it was all Thomasville from the beginning to the end.

LPT basketball tourney

05/08/2008

Lower Peach Tree will be the site again for the Coolers Ain't Cool 3-on-3 basketball tournament. "We had a great turnout last year and we want to keep it up this year as a family friendly event," said James Crawford, organizer.

Lions organizing East- West all-star games

05/08/2008

Thomasville will host the area East-West All-Stars Baseball game at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 17 at the Thomasville High School baseball field. For many years, East-West All-Star Baseball has been the showcase of baseball talent in the state of Alabama.

OBITUARIES

05/08/2008

William Caldwell Allen Jr. William Caldwell Allen Jr., 68, of Birmingham, died Thursday, May 1, 2008, at his home. Mr. Allen, a native of Demopolis, was a resident of Birmingham. He was a member of Bold Springs Presbyterian Church.

RECORDS

05/08/2008

Marriage license applications Duston Dale Moore, to Nancy Kathleen Kelley; Prentice Valdis Martin, to Lytonya Louise Besteda; Eric Vacorey Robinson, to Wanda Shanell McCaskill; Jonathan Thomas Mercer, to Brittany Nicole Ratcliff; Aaron Levon Overton, to Laquitia Naqua Sharpe.

Clarke County Sheriff's report

05/08/2008

The following arrests were booked into the Clarke County Jail for the week of April 29th through May 6th, 2008. Lashan Kennedy, 34, theft by deception, first degree, $20,000 bond, arrested by Clarke County Sheriff's Dept. Gerry Leonard Davis, 49, probation violation, $30,000 bond, arrested by Clarke County Sheriff's Dept.

TPD report

05/08/2008

The Thomasville Police Department filed the following felony charges last week: Rhonda Tellinne Harris - buying/ receiving stolen property, Nicholas Vincen Williams - possession of marijuana, Otto Rowden III - burglary, Kendrick Oneal Mobley - burglary, juvenile - burglary, juvenile - burglary, juvenile - possession of stolen property.

PHPD report

05/08/2008

The Pine Hill Police Department made the following arrests last week: Marvin Welch of Lower Peach Tree - FTA, Stevie Campbell of Lower Peach Tree - robbery, Shamika Green of Dixons Mills - FTA,