CALERA NEWS

Community news and updates from Calera, Alabama

Suspects netted in two task force outings Full story »

At a press conference today, representatives of White Rock Quarries, a company that wants to put a limestone quarry in Vincent, said Ebsco Industries is trying to block the project to hide 15 years of illegally dumping hazardous waste from its nearby plant.  Full story »

JUST A CHAT TAMMY COCHRAN 'Put God first and everything else will work out.' Bio: Tammy Cochran of Chelsea is a stay­at- home mom. She and her husband, Don, have three daughters. Brooke is a student at the University of Ala­bama, Bethany is a se­nior at Chelsea High School, and Bailey is in seventh grade at Chel­sea Middle School.... Full story »

Calera soon will rely on Shelby County to provide its technology support serv­ices. The council voted at its last meeting to pay the county $3,500 a month for the technology support. As a result, the council also voted to abolish the city's technology systems man­ager position. "We're trying to get where there are more people who are knowledgeable about what... Full story »

A week after electing six city council members, some Calera residents are left scratching their heads. Since voters selected candidates at-large this year, instead of by districts, some residents say they aren't sure whom they're sup­posed to call if they have a ques­tion, complaint or issue they want resolved. "I have had people ask me about that," said Councilman... Full story »

Calera Mayor George Roy, who served as mayor for nine terms, presided over his last council meeting Monday night. Council members thanked him for his service to the city and for his guidance over the years. The council will meet at 8:45 today to canvass the re­sults of last week's munici­pal election. Mayor-elect Jon Graham and six council members... Full story »

American Village in Montevallo, which will soon celebrate its 10th birthday, is working on plans to add a $6 million-plus replica of Independence Hall as an attraction. The American Village and Shelby County plan to partner in constructing a likeness of the historic building at the 113-acre civic educational-themed campus. Independence Hall would house the sto­ries of veterans from... Full story »

Environmentally con­scious residents of Helena will have a trash pickup pro­gram almost at their front door starting early next year. Helena Mayor Charles "Sonny" Penhale has signed a contract with Allied Waste for a curbside recycling col­lection program to begin in January. The twice-a-month pickup service will cost $6.79 per month and in­clude collection of card­board, paper, aluminum, tin cans... Full story »

Pelham Finance Director Tom Seale has taken on the additional duties of city clerk. The City Council voted to combine the fi­nance and clerk positions. Seale, who has served as finance director for 4 1 2 years, accepted the additional post which was recently vacated with the retire­ment of Donna Treslar. "Combining these two jobs saves both salary and benefit... Full story »

Getting the upper hand in sales in this economy will be discussed Thursday at the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. The chamber's Grow and Go Workshop session will focus on selling in a tough environment. Topics will include add­ing value to products and services, how and when to make price adjustments and how not to react emotion­ally, said... Full story »

SHELBY COUNTY Adults concerned about forgetfulness will have an opportunity to receive a free memory checkup Tuesday. Confidential memory screenings will be offered from noon to 2 p.m. at the Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging Office, 15863 Shelby County 25, Ca­lera. Kelly Lippert-Flick, M4A director of programs and operations, said the testing consists of five questions, and answers will... Full story »

The City Council has ap­proved a resolution to do­nate nearly $120,000 to schools in the Pelham area. The money will be for academic purposes and is based on the number of to­tal teacher units per school. Each school will receive $504 for every teacher unit. The donation distribution is: > Pelham High School, $42,353. > Valley Elementary School, $29,748.... Full story »

PELHAM Adults can take 15 min­utes Nov. 20 to find out their risk for several serious med­ical problems. The Heardmont Park Se­nior Center is hosting non­invasive ultrasound screen­ings to detect risk for stroke, aortic aneurysm, peripheral artery disease, diabetes and high blood pressure, said Theresa Green, center direc­tor. The screenings will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a cost... Full story »

The Shelby County Plan­ning Commission has granted a waiver to a woman who plans to put a family subdivision on 18 acres in the Dry Valley com­munity. The commission voted 5-2 to allow Beatriz Arceo Martines to put a 10-lot family subdivision on Rock­bay Lane, which is off Shelby County 89 near the Chilton County line. Martines told county offi­cials... Full story »

EBSCO today officially took a position against a proposed quarry next to one of its operations in Vincent.  Full story »