News Briefs

LAUDERDALE COUNTY

Firefighters receive honors at banquet

The Lauderdale County Association of Volunteer Fire Departments has recognized members of various departments for outstanding achievements during 2008. The winners were honored during the association banquet.

Central Fire Chief Terry Lovelace, who has been chief for 25 years, was recognized as Fire Chief of the Year, while Tim Anerton, of the Greenhill Fire Department, was named Firefighter of the Year.

The Greenhill Fire Department was selected the Fire Department of the Year, while the Waterloo Fire Department received an award from the Alabama Forestry Commission. The Underwood-Petersville Fire Department was given the extrication award.

Nathan Dean, of the Greenhill Fire Department, was selected Rookie Firefighter of the Year; Dana South, of the Oakland Fire Department, received the award for individual fire prevention; Jackie Lewis, of the Zip City Fire Department, was recognized as the Parking Attendant of the Year; while Paula Phillips, of the Rogersville Fire Department, was honored as the Ladies Auxiliary Individual of the Year.

Horne Salvage and Wrecker Service was recognized as the Small Business Supporter of the Year and Bank Independent was honored as the Business Supporter of the Year.

RUSSELLVILLE

Construction begins on industrial spec building

Officials broke ground Friday on a 55,000-square-foot building in Russellville Industrial Park that will cost an estimated $1.3 million.

The "spec" building, meant to attract industry, was a joint effort among the Russellville Industrial Development Board, the city of Russellville and the Franklin County Development Authority - along with the help of several local banks. Mitch Mays, director of the Franklin County Authority, said the building will include 3,000 square feet of office space.

"It will be a shell of a building, four walls and a roof, a center row of columns and a gravel floor," Mays said. "Whoever comes into this building can redo the floor as they need it. The idea is to make it as generalized and flexible as possible."

Mays said that some companies had expressed interest in the building.

"Once the building is complete and the economy picks up, we expect to have even more interest in it and hopefully get someone in the building," Mays said.