Newsletter
Mayor Betterton's Weekly Update
June 10, 2021
Exciting News, Florence!
At the most recent Florence Council Work Session, Architect Calvin Durham presented the new City Hall Building plans, including two parking decks. One will adjoin the new City Hall Building providing safe parking and commute for employees. The second lot will be located at the Tombigbee and Pine Street intersection.
The picture below is a rendering presented by Architect Calvin Durham.
2021 Region 22 USPCA K9 Trials
The Florence Police Department hosted the 2021 Region 22 USPCA K9 Trials. The teams focused on obedience, agility, evidence searches, and suspect searches.
Thank you to Lennys Subs, Chick-fil-A, River Bottom Grille by Stanfield's, Kinetic Dog Food, American Aluminum, and City of Florence, AL- Parks & Recreation Department for sponsoring the event!
Photo by Jeff Whitten
Handy, Royal, & Broadway Recreation Centers are now open! The Club (Florence Senior Center) will open on July 1!
Children's Museum of the Shoals: Food Truck Festival
Sat, June 12, 2021
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM CDT
Singin' River Brewing Co
526 East College Street
Florence, AL 35630
League of Outdoor Women: Shady Lady Trail Run
Saturday, Jul 10, 2021
8:00 AM CDT
Joe Wheeler State Park
4403 McLean Drive
Rogersville, AL
Registration Link ($25-5k $35-10k)
Tennesee RiverTown: Shoals Community Paddle
Sat, June 26, 2021
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
Joe Wheeler State Park
4403 McLean Drive
Rogersville, AL 35652
Don't have your own kayak?
That's ok! Reserve a kayak
Prison Reform Survey Opportunity
Your local legislative delegation wants your feedback on a pressing state issue. The Governor and the state legislature are in the process of finding solutions to the dire conditions in the Alabama prison system. Many expect the Governor to call the legislature into a special session this summer or fall to pass legislation funding prison construction in the state.
The Shoals legislative delegation has asked that we survey our members for their opinions on this topic. Please take a few minutes to complete this simple, four-question survey.
Please follow this link to complete the survey. We understand the sensitivity of this topic and assure you of the confidentiality of your responses.
Did you know?
New Business – Now Open
Shoals Wine, Beer & Spirits
4140 Florence Blvd.
Shoals Wine, Beer & Spirits, owned by Randy and Tracy Hood, is now open at 4140 Florence Blvd beside The Rising Crust. Check out their extensive product lineup that includes some of the best spirits, beer, and wine.
New Business – Now Open
Florence Xpress Pharmacy
2908 Mall Rd.
256-962-4251
Florence Xpress Pharmacy is located at 2908 Mall Road next to the new Florence Foot Center. Prescription medication is prepared and dispensed, and vaccinations are administered on-site. Patients can contact Florence Xpress Pharmacy at 256-962-4251.
THE FLORENCE WAGON WORKS
Dr. A.D. Bellamy moved from Atlanta to Florence in 1889 to become the president of a new company known as the Florence Wagon Works. Located on the east side of Florence on acreage near the Tennessee River between Main and Spurr Streets, this impressive industrial plant quickly became an economic driver in the city. By 1904, there were 175 employees in jobs that paid well, along with a large number of support workers such as loggers and cutters. These numbers remained fairly constant until the eventual closure of the company in 1941, when motorized trucks eventually rendered wagons obsolete. At its peak, the plant was producing upwards of 15,000 wagons of various types per year and shipping them via barge, rail and boat all over the United States and into other countries. Many examples of the wagons still exist and have been faithfully restored by devoted craftsmen. One sits proudly in the rear yard at Pope's Tavern Museum. The Wagon Works site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996; a historical marker is situated on the south side of Veterans Drive near its intersection with Spurr Street.
Billy Warren, City Historian
NEXT COUNCIL MEETING
The Mayor and Council members will hold the next council meeting on
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
4:00 p.m. Work Session
5:00 p.m. Council Meeting
City Auditorium
103 South Pine Street
A little laugh...
How to Submit Your Event, News, or Announcement:
- Public and community events or announcements can be submitted by attaching an email, Word document, PDF, or JPG file suitable for viewing on the web. Include graphics in JPG or PNG if possible.
- Along with your information, include your name, phone number, event name, location, date and time, and a brief description.
- IMPORTANT: Please submit your information no later than Tuesday of each week (preferably sooner). Submissions after the deadline will be added to the next week's publication. The newsletter is posted on Thursday afternoon.
- Send your information to rmansell@florenceal.org or call Rachel Koonce with questions at 256-760-6494.
Connect with Us!
Email: abetterton@florenceal.org
Website: florenceal.org
Location: 110 West College Street, Florence, AL, USA
Phone: (256)760-6400