Welcome To Chilton County News in Clanton, Alabama, located in the center of the State of Alabama in the Heart Of Dixie.

This web site contains local Peach Country information, news and happenings about the people of

Clanton, Jemison, Thorsby, Maplesville, Isabella, Verbena and Cooper in Chilton County, Alabama.

County Replaces
47 Computers

By Becky Tucker, News Reporter

The Chilton County Commission held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 28, with members in attendance via teleconference call. Greg Moore was absent.

Commission Chairman Joseph Parnell, in the work session prior to the meeting, reported that a total of 47 computers had been replaced in the courthouse and tag office. On Tuesday, July 7, the information technology team detected a ransomware cyber incident on the county’s computer system. Ransomware is a type of malware from cryptovirology that threatens to publish the victim's data or perpetually block access to it unless a ransom is paid. While some simple ransomware may lock the system in a way which is not difficult for a knowledgeable person to reverse, more advanced malware uses a technique called cryptoviral extortion, in which it encrypts the victim's files, making them inaccessible, and demands a ransom payment to decrypt them. The tag office was immediately forced to shut down and has been closed until this week. County commissioners voted to not pay the ransom in excess of $800,000.00.

It was reported in the work session that recovery of information was not a big issue and most of the new computers were up and running on Wednesday, July 29. A total amount spent on new computers and hardware to prevent a hack in the future was not released by the commission during the work session or meeting.

During the regular meeting, Sheriff John Shearon made the following requests: transfer of employee from the Sheriff’s office to deputy sheriff; promotion of correction officer to full time; spending $605.00 for emergency air conditioner repairs at jail; and spending $5,983.27 for emergency repairs to fire alarm system at the jail. All requests were approved unanimously. Shearon thanked the commissioners for all their help over the recent months in getting the repairs made at the jail which he said helped greatly with safety issues.

Revenue Commissioner Tim Little requested the renewal of a warranty on a computer server in the amount of $3,445.00. Also approved was spending up to $14,000.00 per year to a company for the back-up of data.

Sylvia Singleton, County Administrator, stated that the August 4 work session would also include a budget session. A request had been presented by Clanton First United Methodist Church to continue river church until December and that was granted by commissioners.

Commissioner Matt Mims spoke on behalf of the county engineer and asked for a $10,000.00 line transaction for construction equipment to work on the shoulders of the roads where repaving is being done.

Gerald Arrington, Park Director at Minooka Park, was granted permission to declare a 1997 Jeep as surplus property and seek sealed bids.

Commissioners granted Derrick Wright, of the EMA, permission to transfer funds in the amount of $16,000.00, from various accounts, to be used for repairs on the old Department of Human Resources building on Airport Road.

A emergency resolution was passed to repair the walkway around the boat slips at Higgins Ferry Park which have become a safety issue. Jimmie Hardee had obtained quotes for repairs ranging from $12,800.00  to $25,000.00.

Commissioners agreed to go with the lowest, most responsible quote, and get the repairs started immediately because of the safety issue. Also at Higgins Ferry Park, the title for Donald Giles was upgraded to Park Director and the position received an increase in salary of $2,800.00 per year.

Commissioners agreed to award James Owens the contract for new pads to be built at Minoka Park at a bid in the amount of $48,888.00. Also, it was agreed to pay $7,000.00 for sod.

Discussion was held in regard to a proposed race track in the area of County Road 76 off of County Road 37. Commissioners Hardee and Joe Headley said residents in the area are concerned about the noise level, parking issues and hours involved with the actual racing. The county attorney advised that there wasn’t much that could be done because the county has no zoning laws. 

Chilton County Peach

Festival Began In 1947

Read some of the history here:

https://publizr.com/chiltoncountynews/ccn-062320-a08

Career Center
Opens In Clanton

    The Clanton Career Center will open to the public on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  The Center will be located at 310 Fourth Avenue North, inside the Clanton Parks and Recreation Building which is located in the corner of the Park Plaza Shopping Center.

    The Center will offer both job seeker services and employer services. There will be advice on resume preparation, career and job search assistance, labor market information, etc. for those looking for employment. Those looking to hire personnel will be offered recruitment assistance, employee development workshops, pre-employment screening, etc.

For more information about the center, visit labor.alabama.gov.

Tuberville Defeats Sessions

    Chilton County voters said “no” to Jeff Sessions’ Senate comeback bid Tuesday night, July 14, instead choosing Tommy Tuberville for Senator. Tuberville finished first in the March 3 primary, which was rescheduled from late March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Tuberville will now face Democrat Senator Doug Jones. Jones narrowly won a 2017 special election and is seeking a full term.

    There were 5,768 ballots cast in Chilton County last Tuesday. Tuberville had 72.56 percent of the vote with 4,183 votes. Sessions had 27.44 percent with 1,582 votes.

    In the race for Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, Place No. 2, Beth Kellum had 53.66 percent of the vote with 2,731. Will Smith had 46.34 percent with 2,358 votes. These totals are unofficial as of Wednesday, July 15.