Upcoming Christmas events include: Andalusia Christmas parade – Thur., Dec. 5, 7 p.m. Tree lighting, 5:30 p.m... READ MORE>
Water pressure, sewerage service, and stormwater drainage improvements will get underway for residents of Feagin, Ave., Dillard, Davis and King avenues, Kirkpatrick Drive, and Beatrice and Catawba streets after the new year.
The City Council on Tuesday awarded a bid for the project, which includes the replacement of undersized, 1-inch metal water lines with 3-inch PVC lines to Nordin Construction Co. of Mobile.
The project includes the replacement of undersized, 1-inch metal water lines with 3-inch PVC lines to improve water pressure to homes on Dillard, Davis and King avenues, Kirkpatrick Drive, and Beatrice and Catawba streets. The city also will make drainage improvements to alleviate flooding problems along Beatrice Street and at the intersection of Carnell Street and Feagin Street.
The $581,384 project is being funded in part by a $375,000 Community Development Block Grant announced last year by Gov. Robert Bentley.
Engineer Bob Carter of Goodwyn Mills and Cawood recommended the council accept Nordin’s base bid. The projects in the base bid include resurfacing streets on which utility work is done. The company also submitted a bid of $129,360 to resurface all of the streets in the neighborhood, as well as a portion of Whatley Street. The council took no action on that bid, but will see where it stands financially at the conclusion of the base project.
Carter said he expects the work to begin in January.
In other business, the council:
• Established two, one-time, one-day holidays for city employees in 2013, including the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Monday before Christmas.
Andalusia’s Tourism and Relocation Committee is calling on all Andalusia residents to help turn the city into Whoville for Christmas.
Whoville is Dr. Seuss’s fictional town in How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Whoville is home to The Whos – whimsical, animal-like creatures who live in pumpkin-shaped houses, known for their warm hearts and welcoming spirits. The mayor of Whoville, Augustus Maywho, lives with his wife, 96 daughters and one son named Jo-Jo. The Grinch lives nearby, in a cave atop a high mountain.
Whoville is the theme for both Andalusia Christmas parade, and a house decorating contest. Those who decorate their yard or home for the holidays in a “Whoville” fashion may win a night on the town.
Winning houses/yards will be chosen from each of the five council districts in Andalusia. Judging will take place Dec. 9-13. Winners will be announced at the city council meeting on Tues., Dec. 17.
Each district winner will receive a certificate for dinner for four at one of Andalusia’s fine-dining establishments.
To enter their decorations in the contest, residents should compete a form at city hall by 5 p.m. on Mon., Dec. 2.
At several businesses in Andalusia, employers are getting ready for the holidays by looking for some extra help with the busy upcoming shopping season.
Christy Burns, store manager at Andalusia’s Walmart, said the retail giant is always hiring extra workers this time of year, and 2013 is no exception.
“It’s always a big need,” Burns said. “We have been doing holiday hiring since mid-October. Our biggest sales come on Black Friday, and we do still have some positions open.”
While traffic in Walmarts around the nation is expected to increase dramatically over the weeks leading up to Christmas, Burns said employees hired on as temporary holiday associates often times are offered regular, year-round employment in January.
“Typically, after the holiday season, we are able to keep a number of temporary associates and convert them over into part-time or full-time employment,” she said. “Otherwise, (the employment) lasts through the week of Christmas.”
Burns said positions that are currently open are as varied as they are throughout the year, ranging from “overnight” workers, to stockers and cashiers.
Burns said those looking to capitalize on the holiday employment need can visit the Andalusia Walmart location, where kiosks are available to submit applications, or may apply online at walmart.com.
At Goodys Department Store, store manager Kerry Bradley said the hunt for holiday help is still very much in full swing, but spots are filling up quickly.
“I’m in the process of hiring,” Bradley said Tuesday. “I’ve got a place for two more people. I’m hoping to finish up this week.”
Bradley said Goodys is looking for part-time employees that can work, beginning this week, through the first week of January.
Bradley said the additional help is needed to cover special holiday hours, including Thanksgiving day, from 6 p.m. until 1 a.m., and Black Friday, from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m., as well as other nights that are still to be announced, when the store will stay open until 9 p.m., 10 p.m. or 11 p.m.
Bradley added there is also a spot remaining open for anyone looking to do holiday fundraising for a reputable charity.
“We’re looking for someone to come in on Thanksgiving evening that may want to set up outside with the line that wants to raise donations for a local charity,” she said. “We will provide the table and coffee and drinks. All they would need to bring is a box for the donations.”
Bradley said anyone interested in raising donations or applying for holiday employment, can visit the Goodys location or may call 334.493-4737.
Just down the road from Andalusia’s Goodys, the J.C. Penny in Covington Mall has filled their holiday employment quota, but store leader Dennis Cockrell said if the amount of hires they made this year is indicative of the traffic they will experience, the local economy could be looking at a boost from this year’s shopping.
“We have actually just... READ MORE>
A new scam is hitting the telephone wires, officials said. The latest one arrived Thursday with Mobile residents claiming to be the electric company and delivering an ultimatum – pay up or get cut off.
Cathy Alexander with Andalusia Utilities said a local customer reported such an incident to the office.
“She said a man called and said he was with Alabama Power and that her electricity would be cut off if she didn’t make a payment over the phone,” Alexander said. “Thankfully, she did not give that person any of her banking information.
“As a reminder to our customers, Alabama Power does not have services in this area and our customers should call our office at 222-1332 if they have any concerns about the status of their accounts,” she said. “If I remember correctly, this is the second time this year that this scam has run through our area.”
Lt. Paul Dean with the Andalusia Police Department said his office was also contacted about the scam. He explained that the callers are very convincing during their spiel.
“They will call and identify themselves as a local government official,” he said. “Then, he’ll give the name of his supervisor as a ‘Kevin Brooks’ or ‘William.’ This man has an accent, but he identifies himself as working for Alabama Power.”
Dean said the call originates from a 251.744.3669 number.
He said he conducted a follow-up with