Ala. – Below are the arrests and incidents reported May 5 All persons are innocent until proven guilty Cullman County Sheriff’s Office Find arrest reports online Monday-Friday at www.CullmanTribune.com Log in to leave a comment A Celebration of Life will be held for Brayden on Saturday Family invites all who knew and loved Brayden to attend  Cullman Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements Brayden was a junior at West Point High School where he excelled in academics through the Fast Track Academy at Wallace State Community College while also holding a vital spot on his high school cheer team He was a natural born leader who was always raising the standards of those around him Grace and Aubrey moved to Cullman about 5 years ago He was active in church at West Point First Baptist He was the best big brother to Grace and Aubrey He was the oldest of all his cousins and was adored by them his friends and family take great comfort in the promise of Jesus Christ rejoicing in the assurance that they will see Brayden again in heaven they hold fast to the hope they have in Jesus and cherish the memories that remain in their hearts GAYLESVILLE AND PIEDMONT ALSO INCLUDED BELOW CULLMAN – The Sand Rock Wildcats finished fifth in the Class 2A state track and field meet in Cullman over the weekend Loachapoka won the boys meet with 55 points followed by Mars Hill in second with 53 points Abbeville took third with 52 points and St Cedar Bluff’s boys finished 22nd with 10 points Caleb Yoder led Sand Rock’s boys by placing second in the 800m (2:00.82) second in the 1600m (4:22.34) and third in the 3200m (9:39.85) The Wildcat boys 4x800m relay team finished first with a time of 8:24.74 Brody Johnson finished fifth in the 1600m (4:43.91) He was also sixth in the 3200m (10:25.64) and 10th in the 800m (2:09.78) Brendon Lindsey finished ninth in the 400m (53.18) and took 10th in the 200m (23.76) Zyrese Wynn led Cedar Bluff’s boys with a fifth-place finish in the 400m (51.57) and sixth-place outing in the 300m hurdles (43.34) Dylan McDaniel came in sixth in the 400m (52.42) and ninth in the 200m (23.67) Sand Rock and Cedar Bluff both tied for 17th with 15 points each Cold Springs won the girls meet with 101 total points Holy Spirit finished third with 55.5 points Scarlett Brown led the Lady Tigers with a pair bronze medals in the 800m (2:31.27) and 1600m (5:36.18) Skye Jordan came in sixth in the shot put (29-06.50) The Lady Wildcats had three sixth-place finishes from Emma Swain in the 3200m (13:24.46) Audrey Jones in the pole vault (7-00.00) and Mirissa King in the discus (90-01) Kaitlin Stiefel earned seventh place in the 1600m (5:58.59) came in ninth in the 800m (2:40.84) Evelyn Ealy was also ninth in the 3200m (13.51.92) followed by Jazz Davidson in 10th (14:13.26) The Lady Wildcats’ 4x800m relay team finished fifth with a time of 10:58.06 The 4x400m relay team took 10th with a time of 4:41.86 Links to Sand Rock and Cedar Bluff’s individual results are below https://live.xpresstiming.com/meets/50829/teams/1187036 https://live.xpresstiming.com/meets/50829/teams/1187035 CULLMAN – Gaylesville finished 24th with four total points in the boys 1A meet The Trojans were led by Aydn Heinrich’s fifth-place finish in the 400m (52.20) Winterboro won the 1A boys meet with a total of 117 points Faith Christian was second with 78 points and Georgiana third with 53 points A link to Gaylesville’s individual results is below https://live.xpresstiming.com/meets/50829/teams/1187010 CULLMAN – Piedmont’s boys tied for 11th with B.B Weaver won the 3A boys meet with a total of 86 points Hillcrest of Evergreen finished third with 72 points The Bulldogs were led by their relay teams The 4x800m relay team took third with a time of 8:33.94 The 4x400m relay team finished fourth with a time of 3:36.00 Elijah Young was sixth in the javelin (141-10) John David Taylor finished seventh in the 400m (51.99) the Lady Bulldogs tied with Saks for 27th after both scored two points Whitesburg Christian won the 3A girls meet with 140.33 points Westminster Christian of Oak Mountain came in second with 72 points Lee-Scott Academy finished third with 54 points Mattie Todd led the Lady Bulldogs by coming in seventh in the 3200m (13:02.82) Allie Haynes had a ninth-place outing in the 100m hurdles (18.59) A link to Piedmont’s individual results is below https://live.xpresstiming.com/meets/50829/teams/1187091 Download the WEIS Radio app in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or subscribe to our text alerts here – This year’s AHSAA State Track & Field Championships were held in Cullman and Gulf Shores this weekend and the Cold Springs Eagles overcame the rest of Class 2A Local individual results (Gulf Shores and Cullman) William is survived by his daughters Janet Moody(Danny) and Jennifer Thornton Hollie Caroline Bowden(Michael),Caitlin McDonald and Trace Moody(Whitney) and his great grandchildren Levi Moody A host of extended family and friends  William was preceded in death by his wife Sharon Parker Thornton; his parents William Fabeous and Jewel Dean Thornton; his brother Jimmy Thornton; his granddaughter Alainah Leigh Glover.  A celebration of life visitation for William will be held Tuesday followed by a celebration of life funeral service at 11 a.m.  William will be laid to rest in Good Hope Cemetery To leave condolences for the Thornton family visit mossservicefh.com.   Moss Service Funeral Home directing.  Memorial service is incomplete at this time for Jerald Wade Shannon Cullman Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.  1945 to John Auther and Minnie Lou Cook Shannon but woodworking was his favorite pastime.  He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Helen Shannon; brother Earnest Shannon.  Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInFALKVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - Multiple agencies are responding to a reported landslide in Cullman County on Friday evening According to the Cullman County Emergency Management Agency Director Tim Sartin there is a landslide at Hurricane Creek Park on Highway 31 Officials with the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office said the northbound lanes of Highway 31 were closed in Cullman County Officials say there are no reported injuries at this time WAFF will update with more information as it becomes available Click Here to Subscribe on YouTube: Watch the latest WAFF 48 news sports & weather videos on our YouTube channel – Below are the arrests and incidents reported May 2 All persons are innocent until proven guilty.  GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear  Incidents and arrests reported by CCSO.  Find arrest reports online Monday-Friday at www.CullmanTribune.com.  By Tatyana WhitePublished: May. 3, 2025 at 5:29 PM CDT|Updated: May. 4, 2025 at 2:14 PM CDTEmail This LinkShare on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInCULLMAN COUNTY, Ala. (WAFF) - All lanes are clear and the roadway is open after a two-vehicle car wreck caused a lane closure in Cullman County on Saturday according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Authorities said the crash happened at around 4:37 p.m The northbound lanes of I-65 near the 297-mile marker in Cullman County were blocked for a few hours Troopers with ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division were on scene investigating – The Arley Day Festival will host its second annual Pickleball Tournament on Saturday and will follow a mixed doubles round-robin format Entry is $25 per player and proceeds will benefit the Arley Women’s Club a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting the Arley area “This is our second annual pickleball tournament held as part of the Arley Day Festival and all proceeds go directly back into the community in the form of grants,” said tournament organizer Jane Shirah “We have two giving cycles throughout the year when any local nonprofit organization can apply These grants are typically given to support unmet needs in local schools We also use the money to fund scholarships park improvements and a literacy program in the elementary school.” Funds raised from this year’s tournament will support a variety of ongoing projects including expanding a scholarship program for Meek High School seniors supporting literacy development at Meek Elementary through a new story time program purchasing educational tools for local schools and enhancing Hamner Park with additional pickleball courts and walking trail extensions funds will help the Arley Women’s Club continue sponsoring the Arley Day Festival maintain a local recycling program now in its eighth year of operations and provide support to local EMS and volunteer fire departments To register for the tournament or more information, participants can scan the QR code on the event flyer or contact Jane Shirah directly at 205-540-5020 or janeshirah@gmail.com A full preview of the upcoming Arley Day Festival will be released at a later date – Students from East and West Elementary Schools spent Thursday learning computer code and more as part of the annual STEM (Science Engineering and Mathematics) Day.STEM Day is a key part of Cullman City Schools’ curriculum because it celebrates four fields that are key to innovation It’s a day meant to get students excited about how STEM shapes the world around them and to show how skills like critical thinking creativity and collaboration are essential not just for careers but for solving real-world challenges.“At this year’s STEM Day students learn a mix of skills and concepts designed to be fun STEM teacher at East and West Elementary Schools I believe programs like our annual STEM Day are essential for inspiring the next generation of thinkers STEM education doesn’t just teach science and math — it teaches creativity innovation and critical thinking.”Some activities students had the opportunity to experience include a sand-to-structure 3D-printing lab technology actives including robotics and coding plus a human senses lab provided by Wallace State STEM Ecosystem and a team member who helped conduct a NASA experiment in microgravity.“My hope is to see this program grow even stronger reaching more students and families each year,” Tidwell added “By expanding partnerships with local businesses and stakeholders offering more hands-on projects and encouraging students from all backgrounds to participate we can build a community where curiosity and discovery are celebrated Investing in STEM today means investing in a future where our students are prepared to lead – The Cullman Police Department partnered with Cullman Law Enforcement and Community Services Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe and the south Cullman Walmart on Thursday to recognize some of the community’s unsung heroes — the child nutrition workers at  Cullman City Schools Police Chief Joey Duncan said Administrative Assistant Rita Bailey and Community Relations Officer Adam Clark recently overheard a heartfelt conversation from one of the school nutrition professionals about School Lunch Hero Day reminding them of the often-overlooked yet essential role these dedicated individuals play in students’ lives every day,” Duncan said “School nutrition workers are more than just food service staff — they are friendly faces who greet students each morning know them by name and often provide the first warm interaction of a child’s day They quietly support students’ health ensuring every child receives a nutritious meal regardless of their circumstances they are also the first to recognize when a student may be struggling making them invaluable members of the school community.”The CPD recognized the significance of their contributions and partnered with local businesses to honor them “Celebrating School Lunch Hero Day is about more than just expressing gratitude — it’s about acknowledging the profound impact these professionals have on shaping the next generation and strengthening our community,” Duncan said “When law enforcement and local businesses join forces to show appreciation it sends a powerful message: that every individual in the educational system is valued and we stand united in supporting those who serve our children offering tokens of appreciation or simply showing up in uniform to say ‘We see you,’ these gestures make a difference.”School Lunch Hero Day was recognized on Friday – The United Way of Cullman County recently celebrated the relaunch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library the UWCC oversees the Imagination Library for Cullman and Winston counties The event was held at the Cullman County Public Library in downtown Cullman The Imagination Library provides children from birth to age 5 free, age-appropriate books delivered directly to their homes each month. The program is available to all families, regardless of income, and enrollment can be completed at www.uwaycc.org/DPIL or in person at designated events community engagement coordinator for Alabama’s Imagination Library said this is a great way to encourage a love of reading at a young age “This is really about inspiring a love of reading at the very beginning of life brain development and social-emotional skills — just through books,” she said For families who choose to sponsor their child for $35 a year the State provides matching funds to support an additional child “It’s not just about free books; it’s about creating a culture of literacy and community support.” Local author and UWCC Resource Development & Outreach Manager Taylor Johnson spoke at the event about her personal experience with the Imagination Library her son having graduated from the program after receiving books throughout the pandemic and gave us something to look forward to,” she said “Watching my son grow with them has been incredible.” Johnson recently published her first children’s book “Finlee and Her Purple Glasses,” inspired by both her work with the Imagination Library and a classmate of her son’s with unique glasses The story celebrates self-esteem and differences Johnson said she hopes the message of her story will resonate with young readers “Having your children proud of you hits differently,” Johnson shared “That’s what makes writing for kids so meaningful.” Sponsoring a child through the Imagination Library costs $35 per year each sponsorship helps provide books for two children your child can still receive two full years of books you’re also helping another child in your community,” Johnson said For more information or to enroll, visit www.uwaycc.org/DPIL or call 256-739-2948 through a charitable drive born out of Leadership Cullman County – Jordan’s Junk Drawer – recently assembled and distributed 50 sensory kits to schools The drive raised $2,630 and collected 343 sensory items Organizers had planned to create only 35 kits thanks to overwhelming financial and material support from individuals and local businesses “We were able to exceed everyone’s request,” said organizer Rebekah Lloyd part of the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce Adult Leadership class “It was a good challenge to have — figuring out how to spend the extra money and how to fit everything in our cars.” There were many stand-out donors during the drive including the Cullman Electric Cooperative which provided fully assembled sensory kits that required only minor adjustments which custom-made 35 tractor-shaped poppets that became a favorite among the kits “We told businesses they could contribute sensory-related marketing items The tractor poppets were absolutely adorable,” said Lloyd The kits were assembled at the Cullman Area Technology Academy (CATA) plans to use the leftover sensory materials to help students prepare for their future classrooms More than a dozen individual donors supported the cause including many parents of children with sensory needs Thirty kits were sent to the central office of Cullman County Schools to be distributed at each campus across elementary Fourteen kits were delivered to the Cullman County Child Development Center Additional kits were donated to the Cullman County Public Library System The Sanctuary at the Woodlands and Cullman Regional Two kits’ worth of items were donated to the Future Educators program at CATA organizers hope the community will continue to support them and that their work positively impacts individuals with sensory needs in a meaningful and encouraging manner “We want this passion and vision to continue after our group graduates and these kits are a small way of acknowledging that and providing support.” If you or someone you know still wishes to donate Lloyd recommended contacting local schools starting with guidance counselors or principals to find out what sensory items might be needed Facilities such as The Sanctuary at the Woodlands and Cullman County Public Library System branches also need supplies – We had a big group of local standouts in the field at the AHSAA 4A-7A State Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Gulf Shores this weekend and several of them will be returning home with some hardware The 1A-3A state meet in Cullman is currently under a weather delay so check back for more on the rest of our local competitors when their events are completed – Cullman County Schools and AmFirst recognize a teacher and staff member each month of the school year who are going above and beyond in their professions Holly Pond K-8Pictured left to right are Holly Pond K-8 Assistant Principal Danny Weaver AmFirst Cullman Branch Manager Daniel Boggan AmFirst Teacher of the Month Beth Metcalfe Shane Barnette and Holly Pond K-8 Principal Karen Sparks (Cullman County Schools)Beth Metcalfe teaches math at Holly Pond K-8 “Beth is an exemplary candidate for Teacher of the Month due to her dedication to Holly Pond and its students over her 20-year tenure here,” said Danny Weaver “Beth consistently goes above and beyond eagerly volunteering for events… has a positive attitude and willingly supports her colleagues… and she embodies the values of dedication Staff Member of the Month: Connie Stallings Cullman County Child Development CenterPictured left to right are AmFirst Cullman Branch Manager Daniel Boggan AmFirst Staff Member of the Month Connie Sloan and Cullman County Child Development Center Principal Trett Hardman (Cullman County Schools)Connie Stallings works in the lunchroom at the Child Development Center “Connie is one of our hardest working employees,” said Emily Smith “She makes it a point to ask each child that comes through the line if they are having a good day and will take care of them the entire time they are in the lunchroom She makes sure her students do not leave that lunchroom hungry.” Cullman County Schools thanked AmFirst for sponsoring the program Each Teacher and Staff Member of the Month receives a $100 gift card A line of showers and thunderstorms ahead of a strong cold front in western Tennessee and Mississippi at 7 am will reach northwestern Alabama by late morning and move through the state this afternoon and evening.  The SPC currently has the state in a Marginal Risk as current cloud cover from overnight rainfall is expected to keep instability on the low side only a few storms within the line have the potential to produce straight-line wind gusts from 40-60 mph and hail.  However, if there is less cloud cover ahead of the storms as we head into the afternoon there would be an uptick in damaging wind gusts and I would not be surprised to see the SPC to upgrade portions of the state to a Slight Risk Many areas across the northern and western sections of Alabama received 2-5 inches of rain in the past 24 hours.  The line of storms will be moving rather quickly and an additional 0.25-1.5 inches of total rainfall is expected with locally higher amounts in stronger storms.  These amounts could still produce brief flooding issues especially where heavy rainfall has already occurred After a dry and very cool period Sunday through Tuesday afternoon the weather pattern becomes very unsettled Tuesday night through at least Friday and possibly into the weekend with periods of rain and thunderstorms.  It is unclear how much instability will occur for severe storms each day but several inches of total rainfall are possible Tuesday through Saturday Falling tree limbs in Birmingham kills one person (WBMA) — A Cullman County man was arrested on multiple drug charges after a search warrant was conducted in the Crane Hill community The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office said 42-year-old James Lee Lovelace was at the residence The sheriff's office said multiple guns and various amounts and types of narcotics were located as a result of the search warrant Lovelace was charged with two counts of 'Dangerous Drugs-Drug Trafficking' 'Dangerous Drugs-Opium or Derivative- Possess' three counts of 'Stolen Property-RSP Possessing Stolen Property $1500 or more,' ' Dangerous Drugs-IPOPD Illegal Possession of Prescription Drugs,' 'Dangerous Drugs-PDP Drug Paraphernalia,' two counts of 'Dangerous Drugs-POC Cocaine-Possess' and 'Dangerous Drugs-POM 2 Possession of Marijuana.' “This search warrant was a culmination of a tremendous amount of work by our Investigators I am proud of their tenacity and determination to see this through This is a major victory for the Sheriff’s Office the victims involved and all the citizens of Cullman County,” said Sheriff Gentry Lovelace is currently being held at the Cullman County Detention Center on a $1,020,800 bond PLEASANT SPRING DAY: The sky is partly to mostly sunny across Alabama this afternoon with temperatures in the 60s and 70s A few isolated showers could form this evening over the Tennessee Valley otherwise tonight will be mostly fair with a low in the 50s Read More it will likely be October before we see weather this nice again across Alabama with a few more clouds the farther north you go as an upper-level low spins over the Ohio River Valley Read More knew he made the right decision to open his own business but it wasn’t until he won the 2023 Birmingham Small Business Week Pitch Competition that he got an additional boost Read More COOL START: Temperatures are in the 40s across much of North/Central Alabama just before daybreak… for some places this will most likely be the last morning with temperatures in the 40s until late September or October Read More Sunday brought Alabama a taste of early spring and a mix of sun and clouds—especially north of the Tennessee River where a few sprinkles are still possible Read More Exceptional Anglers events at Oak Mountain State Park teach basic fishing skills to students with disabilities from Alabaster and Pelham city schools and the Shelby and Jefferson County school systems Read More Sunday brings Alabama a breath of fresh air—literally and figuratively—with cooler temperatures and low humidity replacing Saturday’s storms in a refreshing pattern shift worthy of a “Cool Change.” Read More but dense fog may pose a travel hazard overnight and into Sunday morning across north Alabama and southern Tennessee Read More the severe threat is nearly over in Alabama as storms shift east into Georgia Read More strong storms remain active in eastern Alabama this evening with gusty winds Read More A new severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for northeastern Lee County and heavy rain moving east toward Auburn and Opelika Read More Severe storms continue across east Alabama with warnings active in Chambers County and strong storms impacting several others under Severe Thunderstorm Watch #221 through 10 PM Read More Strong to severe storms continue moving through east-central and southeast Alabama this evening with the threat of damaging winds and frequent lightning continuing through 10 PM Read More Severe storms with 60 mph winds and quarter-size hail are moving into Tallapoosa and Chambers counties Read More Ala. – Below are the arrests and incidents reported May 1 By WBRC Digital StaffPublished: May. 1, 2025 at 8:43 PM CDT|Updated: May. 3, 2025 at 2:27 PM CDTEmail This LinkShare on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInCULLMAN, Ala. (WBRC) - The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man after a search warrant on multiple charges related to drug trafficking deputies executed a search warrant in the Crane Hill community and various amounts and types of narcotics Deputies arrested 42-year-old James Lee Lovelace of Crane Hill and charged him with the following: Lovelace was taken to the Cullman County Detention Center and is being held on a $1,020,800 bond the victims involved and all the citizens of Cullman County,” said Sheriff Matt Gentry Get news alerts in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or subscribe to our email newsletter here Ala. – Below are the arrests and incidents reported April 29 – The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office took multiple firearms and a large amount of narcotics off the streets recently in two separate incidents deputies responded to the report of a crash in the Fairview area Alabama State Troopers also responded to the scene and allegedly determined that Hogeland was intoxicated A subsequent search of the vehicle allegedly yielded a substantial amount of narcotics.  Troopers arrested Hogeland and charged her with driving under the influence Deputies charged her with drug trafficking Hogeland is currently being held on a $502,000 bond.  the CCSO Investigations Division conducted a search pursuant to a search warrant in the Crane Hill community was located at the residence in question.  drug paraphernalia and various amounts and types of narcotics were allegedly located as a result of the search warrant Lovelace was arrested and is currently being held at the Cullman County Detention Center on a $1,020,800 bond.  He is charged with two counts of drug trafficking (dangerous drugs) unlawful possession of dangerous drugs (opium or derivative) three counts of receiving stolen property ($1,500 or more) two counts of unlawful possession of cocaine and second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana “This search warrant was a culmination of a tremendous amount of work by our investigators This is a major victory for the sheriff’s office Photos pertaining to the arrest of Lovelace are below – Wallace State Community College brought home 40 medals from the Alabama SkillsUSA Leadership Conference Championships and Career Expo held last week in Mobile More than half of the medals won were gold medals at 25 followed by nine silver medals and six bronze medals Gold medalist winners advance to the National Leadership Conference and SkillsUSA Championship to be held June 23-28 in Atlanta “We are extremely proud of all of our students who competed at SkillsUSA,” said Jerry Murcks dean of applied technologies at Wallace State “Students prepare long and hard for the events and each of them are to be commended for their efforts Participation in SkillsUSA is a great training ground for our students to use the skills they have learned at Wallace State and that they will use in their respective fields.” Wallace State students had multiple medalists in seven categories including a sweep in the Diesel Equipment category Josh Lewis of Hoover won gold and Shelton Hill of Oneonta won silver in the Carpentry category of Vinemont won a gold medal in the CNC 2-Axis Turning category Jared Smith of Falkville won a gold medal in the CNC Programmer category The Crime Scene Investigation team of Isaiah Faulkner of Hayden Sophia Wright of Warrior and Rebecca Avalos received a gold medal in that category Chaden Hill of Eva won a gold medal in Electronics Technology of Oneonta received a bronze medal in the Esthetics category – ALEA on Thursday released the identities of all people on board both boats involved in Wednesday’s fatal crash on Smith Lake Five people on board the Center Console vessel: – Three men died as a result of a two-vessel crash that happened at approximately 7:03 a.m on day two of Major League Fishing’s Tackle Warehouse Invitational on Smith Lake in Cullman County was fatally injured when the Center Console vessel he was on board was struck by a Nitro Bass Boat Broom was pronounced deceased at the scene ALEA identified the other two victims as John K It said both men were also on board the Center Console vessel They “were thrown overboard during the incident Both individuals drowned and have been pronounced deceased their bodies were recovered near the Miller Flats area of Smith Lake in Cullman County.” The crash occurred near the Miller Flats area of Smith Lake in Cullman County No information has been released regarding other passengers or the driver of the Nitro Bass Boat but Major League Fishing (MLF) in its statement said “The incident involved one of the event’s competing anglers Troopers with ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division were still actively investigating the incident and said that as additional information becomes available Other agencies that responded to the scene and are assisting ALEA include the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office Cullman County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) the Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office and volunteer fire departments from Crane Hill “Major League Fishing (MLF) confirms that a serious boating accident occurred this morning on Lewis Smith Lake during Day 2 of the Tackle Warehouse Invitational The incident involved one of the event’s competing anglers “Emergency personnel and local authorities responded immediately and remain on scene managing the situation and to ensure the accuracy of all information no further details will be released at this time MLF is working closely with law enforcement and emergency officials Additional updates will be provided as they are confirmed by the appropriate authorities prayers and deepest concern are with everyone affected by this tragic incident.” The remainder of the tournament was canceled following the accident MLF Executive Vice President and General Manager Kathy Fennel said “This is a heartbreaking moment for our entire organization Our deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of those affected by this tragedy.” Ala. – Below are the arrests and incidents reported April 28 – The Cullman City Council on Monday approved a slate of upcoming special events while tabling a request from Michael McBrayer for the annual Rock the South music festival at York Family Farms in July According to Council President Jenny Folsom public safety staff have not yet completed and submitted their final reports The council did not point to any issue between the City and RTS The council approved a resolution accepting the City’s 2024 financial audit and thanked Mayor Woody Jacobs and a team of city hall staffers for their efforts in carrying out the audit The council also approved a tax abatement for an undisclosed company under the title of “Project Box.” According to Folsom the company plans to expand existing operations in the city with a $47 million capital investment Mayor Jacobs announced that the City will proclaim April as “Fair Housing Month,” saying that City Hall will soon issue a formal proclamation The Cullman City Council meets next at 7 p.m .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Advance Local Weather AlertsA flash flood warning was released by the National Weather Service on Friday at 5:19 p.m Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area Three to four inches of rain are estimated to have fallen in this area over a general 3 hour period Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly," according to the weather service "Flash flooding of small creeks and streams streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas." Locations impacted by the warning include Falkville Emergency Management has reported a rock slide in association with the heavy rainfall along portions of Hurricane Creek near U.S don't drown when encountering flooded roads Most flood deaths occur in vehicles." A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is either imminent or already occurring it's crucial to move immediately to higher ground A flash flood is a sudden and violent inundation that can develop within minutes to hours and it can even happen in areas not currently experiencing rainfall A flood warning is declared when flooding is on the verge of happening or is already underway A flood advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property A flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding It doesn't guarantee that flooding will occur but it signifies that the possibility exists In flood-prone regions or while camping in low-lying areas understanding and following the weather service flood safety guidelines can be a lifesaver: or if you're camping in a low-lying spot When local authorities issue an evacuation order This reduces the risk of electrical hazards during flooding Steer clear of basements or rooms where water has submerged electrical outlets or cords Do not enter water that may carry an electrical charge Just 6 inches of fast-moving water can forcefully sweep you off your feet In the event you become trapped by moving water make your way to the highest point available and contact emergency services by calling 911 especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas Remember this crucial advice: never attempt to drive through water on the road as little as 12 inches of rapidly flowing water can carry away most vehicles Stay informed and follow these tips from the weather service to ensure safety during heavy rainfall: avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk Adhere to the two-second rule for maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness Gradually ease off the accelerator and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding Stick to the middle lanes on multi-lane roads to minimize the risk of hydroplaning as water tends to accumulate in outer lanes Turn on your headlights and be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows The first half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mix of rain Exercise heightened caution during this period Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely you can significantly reduce risks and ensure your well-being when heavy rain pours down Stay informed about weather conditions and heed advice from local authorities to make your journey safe and sound Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/1/2025) © 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices – The Pilot Club of Cullman celebrated its 30th annual Fashion Show on Wednesday featuring local vendors and community members who provided and modeled their designs with a spirit of charitable giving “This is our main fundraiser of the year,” said Elaine Cole current president of the Pilot Club of Cullman This year’s fashion show featured local merchants like Monograms Plus Guests also enjoyed a luncheon and shopping at booths provided by vendors and other local organizations Funds from the events primarily support Project Lifesaver quickly locate individuals with cognitive disorders who are prone to the life threatening behavior of wandering which offers emergency foster care services Other organizations supported include Hope Horses Inc. Recreation & Sports Tourism’s Therapeutic Recreation Program Secret Meals for Hungry Kids and the North Alabama Agriplex’s programs for developmentally disabled children “It means a great deal,” Cole shared “It gives me a chance to work with the community and also make a lot of friends through Pilot Club members Final fundraising totals are expected to be announced in the next few weeks models and volunteers who helped make the event a success Find the Pilot Club of Cullman on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cullmanpilotclub Ala. – Below are the arrests and incidents reported April 14 Ala. – Below are the arrests and incidents reported April 10 A man was killed in a bus crash in Cullman County Monday morning The Cullman County coroner confirmed that 73-year-old William Lavon Harper was involved in the incident at the intersection of US-31 and 24th Street SW shortly after 10:00 a.m The incident involved a Cullman Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS) bus The coroner said Harper was in another vehicle that collided with the bus Ala. – Below are the arrests and incidents reported April 7 The three-day tournament, hosted by Visit Cullman, Alabama will feature a field of professional bass anglers competing for a top prize of up to $115,000 Anglers will take to the water to catch their five biggest bass each day and the winner will be determined by the heaviest three-day cumulative total “We are thrilled to welcome Major League Fishing and the Tackle Warehouse Invitational to Cullman County,” said Harmony Heard Executive Director for the Cullman County Tourism Bureau “Our lakes and outdoor spaces provide the perfect backdrop for a world-class tournament and we look forward to showcasing our hospitality to anglers and fans from across the country This event not only highlights our incredible fishing resources but also brings a positive economic impact to our community We can’t wait to see some of the best anglers in the sport compete right here next week in Cullman.” Local standout pro Jordan Wiggins of Cullman who has three top-10 finishes on Smith Lake in MLF competition – including two victories – knows this lake better than most but he says even anglers who are extremely familiar with the lake will have to stay on their toes which could make things a little tougher,” Wiggins explained I believe it’s going to be a really good event and we are going to catch a ton of fish.” Wiggins said that right now Smith Lake has fish in all stages of the spawn “We’re probably going see a little bit of everything – pre-spawn “You’ll be able to catch plenty of spawning spotted bass There are key stretches they use every year Wiggins noted that size will be the difference-maker “You usually have to cull through a lot of little ones to get a decent bag The key will be finding those sections where the bigger ones have pulled up.” “I’ll have a shaky head with a green pumpkin Reaction Innovations Flirt Worm—that five-inch finesse worm is my go-to,” he said “I might also throw a Neko rig with the seven-inch it’s gonna be that shaky head doing the work.” Wiggins predicts consistency will be crucial but I think it’ll take around 16 pounds a day to win I predict the winner is going to have right around 48 pounds total over three days.” The 2025 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals feature a field of professional anglers competing across six invitational tournaments around the country for a total purse of $4.3 million and valuable Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) points to qualify for the Invitationals Championship and a coveted spot on the MLF Bass Pro Tour – the sport’s premier circuit In Tackle Warehouse Invitationals competition the full field compete in the two-day opening round on Tuesday and Wednesday in a five-fish advance to the final round on Championship Thursday where they will compete for the grand prize of up to $115,000 The winner of the Tackle Warehouse Invitational Stop 3 at Lewis Smith Lake Presented by Phoenix Boats is determined by the heaviest three-day cumulative weight Forward-facing and/or 360-degree sonar is limited to only days 1 and 3 of competition No forward-facing and/or 360-degree sonar will be allowed on day 2 of competition The MLFNOW! broadcast team of Chad McKee and Rob Newell will break down the extended action live all three days of competition from 7 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. CT. MLFNOW! will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com Television coverage of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Stop 3 at Lewis Smith Lake Presented by Phoenix Boats will air as a two-hour episode Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals include: 7Brew Coffee About Major League FishingMajor League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research Scattered showers and non-severe severe thunderstorms will affect the state this morning with scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms mainly across the western and central sections this afternoon and evening  A few storms later today could have wind gusts from 40-60 mph and possibly some hail There is no tornado threat and widespread severe weather will not occur All thunderstorm activity is forecast to end by midnight.  Another round of showers and thunderstorms will occur across the state Friday afternoon into early Saturday morning with increasing coverage Saturday afternoon into the evening hours A few storms across the northern half of Alabama on Friday may contain wind gusts from 40-60 mph but widespread severe weather will not occur Although the SPC has placed the eastern portions of the state in a Marginal Risk for Saturday models are not in unison on the amount of forecast afternoon/evening instability.  Thus the Marginal Risk could be expanded westward in later updates.  Regardless only a few damaging wind gusts are possible with no widespread severe weather Total rainfall today into Sunday will generally be 0.5-2 inches with locally higher amounts in stronger storms – A Cullman man was killed Monday morning in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of U.S Cullman County Coroner Jeremy Kilpatrick identified the victim as William Lavon Harper Kilpatrick said Harper was the only fatality in the incident Cullman Police Department Chief Joey Duncan said officers responded to the crash at approximately 10:26 a.m.  the department’s Traffic Homicide Unit was called to investigate The collision involved a 1999 Chevrolet S-10 pick-up truck and a 2022 Ford Econoline bus.  Authorities have not released additional information – A Cullman County woman is now facing a manslaughter charge in connection with the death of a man in Good Hope last month Kinsey Nikole Burns, 21, of Cullman, was arrested March 20, on charges of manslaughter – fentanyl and corpse abuse.  She is the second person to be charged in connection with the death of Anthony Mark Sturgeon, 29, of Cullman MANSLAUGHTER – FENTANYL: KINSEY NIKOLE BURNS did deliver or distribute a controlled substance in violation of 13A-12-211 or any synthetic controlled substance fentanyl or any synthetic controlled substance fentanyl analogue described in Sections 20-2-23 and 20-2-25 and the person to whom the controlled substance was sold delivered or distributed died as a proximate result of the use of the controlled substance to-wit: PROVIDED FENTANYL TO ANTHONY MARK STURGEON WHICH CAUSED HIS DEATH in violation of 13A-6-3(3) of the Code of Alabama (1975).  knowingly treat a human corpse in a way that would outrage ordinary family sensibilities to-wit: BY DUMPING THE BODY OF ANTHONY MARK STURGEON AT GOOD HOPE CITY PARK in violation of 13A-11-13 of the Code of Alabama (1975).  Sturgeon’s body was found at a Good Hope park on Saturday On March 19, Gregory Wayne Aycock, 55, of Cullman, was arrested He is charged with manslaughter – fentanyl first-degree hindering prosecution and corpse abuse Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry told The Tribune in February “Preliminary indications are believed to be a drug overdose It is believed that Aycock moved the body in question.” Burns is currently being held at the Cullman County Detention Center without bond CULLMAN, Ala. – The city of Cullman is gaining a new state-of-the-art complex that it says promises growth in sports tourism, local recreation and events. The grand opening of the new OmniPlex Sports and Civic Center is quickly approaching with the first tournament set for April 4-6 and public access coming a month or two later The sale of the old Cullman Civic Center to Desperation Church in 2019 set the wheels in motion for the OmniPlex City leaders saw Cullman growing into a hub for sports tourism and said the need to support and house both community and sports events was increasing Mayor Woody Jacobs acknowledged the city has outgrown its current facilities “We’ve turned into a kind of sports tourism town and we knew we needed more than just a couple of basketball courts.” The OmniPlex will offer many new features and amenities the community hasn’t had before There will be an indoor recreation space able to host all kinds of sports Recreation & Sports Tourism Executive Director Nathan Anderson said the OmniPlex will benefit local families with children in sports “Our kids right now are traveling to Huntsville and Birmingham just for weekly practices,” he explained those travel teams can get gym time here in Cullman the OmniPlex will offer more arts programming space and more capacity for summer camps Conference rooms will be available for local businesses and nonprofit organizations This includes seven small meeting rooms and larger conference rooms for any event The City said the facility was designed with flexibility in mind Dividing curtains and carpet tiles will allow people to use the athletic spaces for more formal events like church gatherings The OmniPlex is expected to have a tremendous impact on the local economy cheer and dance competitions and expos like gun and knife shows and home and garden showcases are already scheduled for the first year we’re looking at a direct economic impact in excess of $30 or 40 million.” City leaders said the people of Cullman played a significant role in the inspiration of the OmniPlex program participants and families to get opinions on things that could be improved They expect the biggest advantage for local sports families instead of traveling to Knoxville or Chattanooga they can stay here and still compete at a high level,” said Jacobs The OmniPlex is located at the site of the former Marvin’s store on Main Avenue Southwest It will connect Heritage Park to the Cullman Wellness & Aquatic Center creating a multifacility recreational corridor in southwest Cullman