The annual Athens-Limestone County Fireworks Show will be held on Tuesday July 4th at approximately 9PM at the Athens High School stadium on Hwy 31 N. and Hwy 251. The free, quality of life show is sponsored by the City of Athens, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association and Limestone County Commission.

The City of Athens, Athens City Board of Education and emergency officials are collaborating to construct the city’s first public safe room.

FEMA has approved funding and plans for a safe room at Cowart Elementary in western Athens. This safe room is the result of hazardous mitigation money allocated through Limestone County EMA after the 2014 tornado disaster. FEMA is funding $547,281 and the City of Athens and Athens City Board of Education are funding the local match of $136,820. The site will be to the south of Cowart Elementary on campus grounds.

The next step is to prepare bid requests for the project.

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A Message from organizers of the June 24th and 25th True Grit Cowboy Church Tack Auction and Trail Ride--

Hi All,

It is with regret...
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Feeling like an adventure with a sweet reward at each stop?  Prepare your taste buds and plan your route to these sweet gems.

There's something about enjoying something sweet in the Summer that's like no other time of the year (but you'll find most of these treats year-round too).  

Let your culinary adventure begin!

Father's Day is just around the corner and Limestone County is full of ideas for gifts or you can build an experience to make Dad's day special this June 18th. 

If you're looking for a unique gift, how about a logo or collector blade from U.G. White (101 North Jefferson Street in Athens ) or St. Nick's Knives (928 U.S. Highway 72 in Athens).  Both retailers offer specialty knives, collector themed knives, and other gift ideas too.

Hit the Elk River for a paddle on Father's Day with five easy ins and outs on the Limestone County Canoe and Kayak Trail.  Offer Dad a lazy day on the water enjoying the scenery, catching a few fish or making memories with the family.  Local outfitter, Fort Hampton Outfitters, offers a variety of kayak types and stand up paddle boards too for rental.  They can also arrange drop off and pick up as well as guiding services.  See how they can help you at their website. 

There's another way to hit the water in Limestone County -- with the help of Lucy's Branch Marina.  They offer pontoon rental, lilypad rental and boat launch and slips to get you and Dad out on Wheeler Lake for a splash, lazy day drifting or a day of fishing.  Anglers will tell you there are a variety of fish to test your ability for including Striped Bass, Spotted Bass, Small-Mouth Bass, Large-Mouth Bass, Crappie, Bream, Channel Catfish and so many more.

There are over 100 restaurants in Limestone County to choose from -- so it's bon appetite for Dad.  Whether you're looking to treat him to barbecue, Mexican, Asian or good ole' Southern Cooking - you're sure to find a restaurant on our list to fit your needs.

Want to offer Dad a bit of nostalgia as your gift?  You'll never know what you'll find in the antique stores, boutiques and shops of Limestone County.  Ardmore Alabama has a string of stores loaded with all kinds of items and conveniently all in one place -- Ardmore Avenue.  Elkmont features antique and boutique shops near Interstate 65 at Exit 361 on Elkton Road and several hidden gems just 4 miles west in downtown Elkmont.  Pop into Mooresville just south of Interstate 565 at Exit 2 and you'll find some special gifts there too -- specialty treats, original artwork, antiques and more.  Athens has stores, specialty shops and loads of antique stores to peruse all along U.S. Highway 72 and the historic downtown Square.

If Dad's a hunter, a year's membership at Limestone Hunting Preserve in Ardmore, Alabama might just make his day.  They offer special hunting access for Dove, Quail, Pheasant, Deer Bow and other services.  Learn more here.

Maybe Dad would prefer making memories with the family on one of our many trails.  Whether a trip in the family, horseback riding, cycling or just a slow stroll.  You'll find a trail to meet your needs.   Check our list for ideas.

​If you need any more ideas, we're always happy to help at the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center located at 100 North Beaty Street in Athens or by phone 256-232-5411.

Calhoun Community College’s new weekend CDL program is now open for registration!

This weekend course will be held every Saturday and Sunday, with the next class scheduled on Saturday, July 15 – Sunday, September 3, from 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. at the Huntsville campus. The cost for this course is $2,850.00. Funding is available for those who qualify.

The 8-week, 160-hour program is designed to provide driver’s license training to unskilled drivers who wish to obtain a CDL as well as endorsements. Students will alternate between classroom and driving in this course while learning about proper shifting techniques, CDL safety, map reading, inspections as well as the federal requirements for the state’s standards for the licensing of commercial drivers. At the end of the training, students are administered a road test which must be passed in order to obtain a Class A or B license. 

Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive a certificate. “According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the U.S. is experiencing a shortage of truck drivers which is an opportunity for Calhoun to continue to train and distribute skilled drivers in to the workforce. With the shortage, CDL drivers are in high demand and are able to secure jobs more quickly”, commented Mary Smith, CDL instructor. 

The deadline to register is June 28, 2017. For more information, visit the CDL website at www.calhoun.edu/cdl or you may call them at 256-260-2462. 

Calhoun Community College’s Athletic Program is excited to host the Lady Warhawks Softball camp on Tuesday, June 20, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. The camp will be held on the Decatur campus at the Calhoun Softball field, 6250 US Hwy 31 N, Tanner, AL. Lunch will be provided for all camp participants.  

The day camp will provide girls between the 7th and 12th grade an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of softball such as hitting, fielding, base running, and other techniques of the game. Campers will receive individual and group training from Calhoun’s softball coaches. According to Calhoun’s Head Softball Coach Nancy Keenum, “The softball camp is completely hands on. Campers will participate in various drills, skills challenges, and other fun games, which will help them enhance their softball career,” Keenum states.

The pre-registration fee is $75 by the June 10th deadline, or $90 on the day of camp from 8:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Campers must bring bat, batting gloves, helmet, tennis shoes, glove, and catching equipment. 

To register or for more information, please contact Nancy Keenum, Calhoun’s Head Softball Coach at 256-306-2850 or email. 

Athens, Al -- The debut of the Mike Chapman Memorial Music Scholarship was presented May 20th, 2017 to Shannon O'Neill, a Clements High School graduate who will be attending the University of North Alabama this fall. Shannon played alto saxophone in the band but has already been playing in UNA’s High School Honors Symphony for two years (violin) and has earned a seat as violinist for the Shoals Symphony this fall. The presentation was made during the May dinner show at Yesterdays Event Center Athens, Al. In attendance were Chapman’s wife Connie, additional family members, Chapman’s lifelong partner in music Milton Sledge, members of Chapman’s Clements High School Class of 1970, members of the O'Neill family, and 200 dinner show guests.

In addition to the Scholarship, Gordon Franklin representing “The Flashbacks Showband” made an additional $500 contribution toward ONeill’s education, in memory of Chapman, prior to the band’s dinner show performance for the evening.
 
Chapman was an Athens Limestone County native who lost his battle with cancer in 2016. He was one of the most sought after Nashville studio musicians for the past two decades and a member of Garth Brooks studio band the “G-Men”, and had played on recordings selling over 170 million albums. For the last five years he had reconnected to his hometown roots when he joined The Flashbacks as musical director and bass player, renewing his passion for performing in front of live audiences. Yesterdays Event Center, where Chapman had performed over a dozen times in the past few years, created the scholarship in Mike’s memory in Oct 2016, and is funding it for the first five years, with ONeill being the first recipient. The Scholarship will be presented each year to a Clements High School graduating senior who is continuing their pursuit of music excellence at a college or university of their choice. It is a 501c(3) non-profit charitable organization open to outside contributions, which are tax deductible. 

Athens, AL – The Annual Flag Day Ceremony and Cookout is scheduled for Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at 12:00 noon in the Sandridge Student Center Ballroom on the Athens State University Campus. This event is free and open to the public. Eddie Hicks, Director of Morgan County EMA, will be the guest speaker. Hicks graduated from Athens State University in 2000 with a B.S. in Public Safety Administration and has been a county Emergency Manager for 38 years.

The Athens State Community Band will provide a musical prelude and barbershop quartet Copeland Road will sing the Star Spangled Banner. Boy Scout Troop #240 will post the colors. The event will be hosted by the Athens State University Alumni Association.

Contact the Athens State Office of Alumni Affairs at [email protected] or 256-233-8184 for additional information.​

Athens, AL – The Athens State University Alumni Association hosted the 26th Annual Golf Classic scholarship fundraiser on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at Canebrake Club in Athens. The generosity of golfers, donors and volunteers funded scholarships that were awarded to eight (8) students for 2016-2017 ranging from $1,500-$4,000 annually. Proceeds from this year are expected to increase the number of scholarships awarded for 2017-2018 with more than $28,000 in proceeds.

The impact of these scholarships can be seen in the current recipients who were interviewed recently by the Golf Classic Chair, Mark McCarter. Megan stated that her “parents have taken in two foster children, so when this scholarship came, it was a godsend.” Another, Stiliyana, said the scholarship helped her “support herself while sending money home to Bulgaria.” She attends Athens State to take classes at her speed while working 60-plus hours per week at her job.

Prizes were awarded for 1st place Championship Flight- Sanders Woodroof, Tyler Dorning, Stewart Whitt and John Deemer; 1st Place First Flight- Jay Vasser, Steve Turner, David Martin and Barry Devine.

Athens State University was founded in 1822, making it the oldest continuously-operated institute of higher learning in the state of Alabama. Offering over 50 undergraduate majors and degree options in addition to graduate programs, Athens State focuses on providing affordable, flexible, and high-quality options for all learners.