Mark Huber

ALEA Confirms STAR ID Deadline Extension, Further Limits In-Person Driver License Services

MONTGOMERY – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, at the direction of President Donald J. Trump, is extending the REAL ID enforcement deadline to Oct. 1, 2021, in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Alabama’s version of the federal REAL ID program is STAR ID, which stands for Secure, Trusted and Reliable Identification. ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor…

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Governor Ivey urges Alabama Small Business Owners To Prepare Now by Applying for Federal Financial Relief

APRIL 1, 2020 PRESS RELEASE MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday urges Alabama Small Business Owners to respond to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic by taking steps to ensure their business will withstand the troubling economy. Final guidelines for how the federal government will distribute financial relief to Alabama’s small businesses will be released very soon….

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Governor Kay Ivey Announces USDA Waiver Approved

Today Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced that the USDA has approved the Alabama State Department of Education’s Child Nutrition Programs waiver request. “Great news, Alabama! The USDA has approved the Alabama State Department of Education’s Child Nutrition Programs waiver request. This will allow food authorities and community organizations, in good standing, to operate in non-area…

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Dekalb County Courthouse & Activities Buildings Closed

The DeKalb County Courthouse and DeKalb County Activities Building are closed to the public effective immediate until further notice due to circumstances related to COVID-19. Those having service needs should attempt to call the appropriate office of need to conduct business via telephone or internet. DeKalb County Commission number is 256-845-8500 DeKalb County Probate number…

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Alabama Department of Public Health reports its first known employee with COVID-19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) confirmed the first case of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in an ADPH employee who works at the Bureau of Clinical Laboratories in Montgomery. Laboratory testing confirmed this diagnosis. The individual had no public interaction on the job and was not working on COVID-19 testing….

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ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division Reminds Everyone about Social Distancing, Water Safety

Please see below for a safety reminder from the ALEA Marine Patrol Division: ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division Reminds Everyone about Social Distancing, Water Safety MONTGOMERY – Because schools, businesses and churches have closed indefinitely in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), more people are spending their free time on Alabama waterways. Activity on Alabama’s lakes, rivers…

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Significant SEVERE Weather Event Forecast for Saturday

A significant severe weather event is possible tomorrow afternoon/evening in far eastern Iowa, Northern Illinois, and far northwest Indiana. All severe weather hazards are possible including large hail (some very large 2+”), damaging wind, and tornadoes (some significant). Anyone who lives within the risk area, particularly the red “moderate risk” area, including the cities of…

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Small Business Administration is offering Economic Injury Disaster Loans

Small businesses across Alabama have been negatively impacted by the #Coronavirus. To help, the U.S. Small Business Administration is offering Economic Injury Disaster Loans. For more information, or to see if you are eligible, go to the SBA’s #covid19 disaster assistance web page at www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance/coronavirus-covid-19 You can also contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service…

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ALEA Says FMCSA Has Granted Waiver

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has granted a waiver in response to the COVID-19 emergency for states, CDL holders, CLP holders, and interstate drivers operating commercial motor vehicles. The extension period will continue until June 30, 2020. Download full press release: https://www.alea.gov/sites/default/files/inline-files/ALEA%20Extended%20Suspension%20Date%20Notification%20Memo%20CDL_CPL%20and%20Medical%20Certifications.pdfFor a complete set of terms, conditions, and restrictions of the waiver,…

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AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese Announces End Of Athletic Season

Press Release From Steve Savarese: Like thousands of others, I am deeply saddened and disappointed that our schools have closed, and spring sports will not have an opportunity to finish their seasons.  Even more so, I am disheartened for all student-athletes, contest officials, their coaches, families, student bodies, fans, communities, and especially our seniors.  We…

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SEVERE Weather Possible Across A Large Area On Saturday/Saturday Night

THERE IS A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTH-CENTRAL AND NORTHWEST ILLINOIS, AN ENHANCED RISK AREA SURROUNDING THAT AND THEN A LARGE SLIGHT RISK AREA THAT EXTENDS INTO THE DEEP SOUTH. The Storm Prediction Center says a significant Severe Weather Outbreak is possible for portions of the middle Mississippi Valley on Saturday. …

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ALEA Confirms STAR ID Deadline Extension, Further Limits In-Person Driver License Services

MONTGOMERY – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, at the direction of President Donald J. Trump, is extending the REAL ID enforcement deadline to Oct. 1, 2021, in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Alabama’s version of the federal REAL ID program is STAR ID, which stands for Secure, Trusted and Reliable Identification. ALEA Secretary Hal…

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Schools Will Close For Remainder of This School Year With Instruction From Home

Today, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed a supplemental SOE that would allow Dr. Mackey, Alabama Superintendent, and his team to provide instruction from home starting April 6, 2020, for the remainder of the school year. Governor Ivey said, “This decision has been made with a tremendous amount of concern and discussion. I cannot stress enough…

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ALDOT Keeps Essential Services Going for Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is maintaining essential services, such as road and bridge maintenance and construction, during the continuation of a national effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Work to repair slides and other roadway failures resulting from the recent record rainfall is also ongoing. “ALDOT’s mission is to…

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Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office, 26 Charged in Narcotics cases in the last month

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — This past month was productive for the DeKalb County Narcotics Unit. 26 were arrested and received charges related to narcotics. On Thursday, February 6th, Deputies along with Narcotics Agents conducted a traffic stop on Highway 75 in Rainsville. A search of the vehicle revealed methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Terry Jacob Dutton…

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Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, “This order was intended to apply to non-work-related gatherings”

MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) on Friday issued an update to the statewide health order to aid in Alabama’s efforts to contain the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Effective today, all non-work related gatherings of 25 persons or more, or non-work related gatherings of any size that cannot maintain a consistent six-foot distance…

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Tennessee Aquarium Offering Virtual Visits, Educational Materials and Behind-the-Scenes Content

Chattanooga, Tenn. (March 18, 2020) – At a time when millions of people find themselves confined to their homes, the monotonous prospect of weeks trapped indoors can be daunting, especially for parents of young children. Fortunately, although its doors are temporarily closed, the Tennessee Aquarium has many resources available so guests can enjoy the wonders…

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AHSAA, DragonFly Athletics Announce Plans to Begin Online Technology Training for Schools

MONTGOMERY – The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) and DragonFly Athletics announced today its new technology partner is making available online webinar training for member schools. The AHSAA Central Board approved a transition from C2C Schools to DragonFly Content Management Software for member schools at its winter meeting last January. DragonFly will take over…

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Alabama Announces Support for Workers Impacted by COVID-19

News Release For Immediate Release: March 16, 2020 Alabama Announces Support for Workers Impacted by COVID-19 MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama workers who are not able to work due to COVID-19 will be eligible to file for unemployment benefits. Based on current guidance from the U.S. Department…

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Governor Ivey Issues Statement on Statewide Public Health Order

MARCH 19, 2020 MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) on Thursday issued a statewide health order to aid in Alabama’s efforts to contain the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Statewide through April 5: All gatherings of 25 persons or more, or gatherings of any size that cannot maintain a consistent…

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Alabama Governor Kay Ivey Announces Run-Off Election Postponement

MARCH 18, 2020 MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday announced the Primary Runoff Election would be held on July 14, 2020 due to the concerns surrounding the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. “Exercising my extraordinary powers under the Emergency Management Act, I am setting Alabama’s Primary Runoff Election for July 14, 2020,” said Governor Kay Ivey. “The…

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State Health Officer issues mandatory health orders for five counties surrounding Jefferson County due to risks caused by COVID-19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Burnestine Taylor, M.D.(334) 206-2100 State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris has issued orders suspending certain public gathering due to the risk of infection by the novel coronavirus COVID-19. These orders are applicable for the counties of Blount, St. Clair, Shelby, Tuscaloosa and Walker. The order is summarized as follows: Effective March…

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ALDOT Announces Operational Plans in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 17, 2020 ALDOT Announces Operational Plans in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is announcing how it will conduct operations during a national effort to prevent the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19.) The safety and protection of motorists using ALDOT facilities and the transportation…

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ALEA Modifies Driver License Division Operations in Response to COVID-19

Montgomery – The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is modifying its Driver License Division’s statewide operations in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). ALEA’s Secretary Hal Taylor said, “ALEA is dedicated to providing public safety to the state and its citizens and will continue. When Governor Ivey declared this state of emergency in response to the Coronavirus…

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Secretary of State Requests Emergency Opinion from Attorney General’s Office to Postpone Runoff Election

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sunday, March 15, 2020 – MONTGOMERY – Following the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the State of Alabama and the declaration of a National Emergency by President Donald Trump and the declaration of a State of Emergency by Governor Kay Ivey, Secretary of State John H. Merrill has requested an emergency…

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NACC Temporarily Suspends On-Campus Classes

News Release from Northeast Alabama Community College COVID-19 Campus Update: Upon the direction of the Alabama Community College System and Chancellor Jimmy Baker, NACC will temporarily suspend on-campus instruction March 17 – April 3. We will transition all on-campus courses to online instruction for students but will continue normal office operations on campus. President Dr….

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Samford University Suspends On Campus Classes Until Apirl 6th Due To COVID-19

Published on March 11, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. Campus Community, READ THIS MESSAGE CAREFULLY AS IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT CHANGES TO UNIVERSITY OPERATIONS. The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.  As of today, there are no confirmed COVID-19 cases on the Samford campus or in Alabama.  Nevertheless, Samford is taking measures to protect…

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Local CoVID19 (Novel Coronavirus) Update From Dekalb County EMA

Situation Summary At this moment in time, we have no confirmed cases of CoVID19 in Alabama. Alabama Dept of Public Health will be putting their best effort forward to keep community partners informed. It is important to note that information on this changes daily. DeKalb County Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency continues to monitor the…

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Pisgah Lady Eagles Defeat Pike Road & Will Play Friday In The Championship Game

Class 3A Girls’ SemifinalsPisgah 72, Pike Road 58 Birmingahm, Al. – The Pisgah’s Lady Eagles outscored Pike Road 29-14 in the third period Tuesday morning and advanced to the Class 3A state championship game for the third year in a row with a 72-58 come-from-behind win.       The Class 3A girls’ semifinal game opened play Tuesday…

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AHSAA Basketball State Finals Extend partnership with Birmingham | WVSM Digital News

MONTGOMERY, ALA. — The Alabama High School Athletic Association, City of Birmingham, and the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau have reached a tentative six-year agreement that will keep Birmingham as the home for the AHSAA Basketball State Finals Championships through 2026. Pending final approval from the AHSAA and the City of Birmingham, the tournament…

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1st Annual Rainsville, Al. Arbor Day Poster Contest Winners

The City of Rainsville held its first annual Arbor Day poster contest. Winners from Plainview High School were: Stephen Crowell $50.00 Andrea Bellamy $20.00 (not pictured) Reagan Martin $10.00 Winners from Cornerstone Christian Academy were: Maggie Taylor $50.00 Noor Angel $20.00 Tamia Ballard $10.00 The City of Rainsville contributed $800.00 and RTI matched that contribution…

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Boaz Police Makes Murder Arrest In Shooting At Family Security Credit Union

PRESS RELEASE FROM: Assistant Chief Walter Colbert Boaz Police Department Date: 02/19/2020 On 02/18/2020, at approximately 2:49 pm, the Boaz Police Department received a call of a shooting that had just occurred at Family Security Credit Union located at 310 US Highway 431 Boaz, AL 35957. When Officers arrived they observed a white male (victim)…

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Flooding Ongoing Throughout the South, Heavy Rain Monday & Tuesday and SEVERE Storms Wednesday

FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT THROUGH FEBRUARY 11, 2020 With the ground already saturated from recent heavy rains this past week, many flood warnings are still active still today. More heavy rain is forecast for Monday and Tuesday and then SEVERE Weather is forecast for Wednesday. Wednesday could see a Tornado Outbreak across the…

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Heavy Rainfall And Additional Flooding Possible This Week

With the ground already saturated from the heavy rainfall this past week, the NOAA Weather Predication Center is forecasting more heavy rainfall this week. Northern and Central Alabama, Mississippi, Northern Georgia, and parts of Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas, are set to get heavy rainfall Monday and Tuesday, February 10th and 11th. Many areas are forecast…

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Winter Weather Advisory Issued

URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGENATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL857 PM CST FRI FEB 7 2020 MARSHALL-JACKSON-DEKALB-FRANKLIN TN-INCLUDING THE CITIES OF ALBERTVILLE, BOAZ, GUNTERSVILLE, ARAB, SCOTTSBORO, FORT PAYNE, RAINSVILLE, WINCHESTER, SEWANEE, DECHERD, ESTILL SPRINGS, AND COWAN 857 PM CST FRI FEB 7 2020 …WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 11 AM CST SATURDAY……

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Made In Dekalb Expo February 6, 2020 At N.E. Alabama Agribusiness Center

Made in DeKalb initiatives recognize all the great products that are made in DeKalb County. This recognition of our existing industries helps them to establish new business to business relationships and to promote career and education opportunities to 9th and 12th grade students of DeKalb County. Then networking opportunities are also available for existing industries…

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ALDOT Will Close Alabama Hwy 35, at the railroad crossing on January 13, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 10, 2020 Alabama 35 to close at railroad Jan. 13 HUNTSVILLE —The Alabama Department of Transportation advises motorists that a contractor for Norfolk Southern will work on the railroad on Alabama 35/Fifth Street near U.S. 11/Gault Avenue in Fort Payne on Monday, Jan. 13, weather permitting. Alabama 35 will be closed…

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Significant Severe Weather Event Starts Today, To Our West and Moves Across Alabama Saturday

The South has an “Enhanced Risk” for Severe Weather on Saturday, January 11, 2020. This could be a significant Severe Weather Event. Tornadoes and strong Tornadoes will be possible across the risk area, along with Damaging Winds. Plan now for your shelter location on Saturday. Check with your local EMA office to see where local…

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DCSO & County Commission moves to allow Deputies to drive Vehicles to Church

After discussions with the DeKalb County Commission, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has moved to allow our off-duty Deputies to drive their patrol cars to church services. The presence of patrol vehicles at churches during services will act as a deterrent against potential attacks. On duty deputies will also be encouraged to make regular checks…

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Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office Makes Multiple Arrests During New Year’s Saturation

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — From midday Tuesday (December 31) to early Wednesday (January 1, 2020) deputies with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and agents with the Narcotics and Interdiction Unit conducted a New Year’s Eve Saturation in areas of the county to ensure safety on our roadways. Several were arrested for being in possession of…

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