Crenshaw County Engineer Benjie Sanders stated that the Oliver Myers’ Bridge Project was now underway, and the road would be closed for the next six months. The project officially began on September 8.

The road, located at Blue Creek between U.S. Hwy. 331 and Lapine Hwy. at Bradleyton, was closed, and detours are posted on the surrounding paved roads.

Engineer Sanders warns drivers to use extra caution when nearing Oliver Myers Road during the construction process.

nIn other business at its regular Sept. 8 meeting, the Crenshaw County Commission approved to accept a USDA loan to the county for the Honoraville Nutrition Center. The loan is for $95,000, at a 4.5 percent interest rate and is for 30 years.

nThe Commission approved to pay an extra $2,900 on the South Central Development Contract for seniors’ meals due to an increase in the prices.

nApproved a retail beer, off-premises only license for M & M Discount Tobacco located on Davenport Highway.

nApproved a resolution not granting county retirees lump sum raises for this fiscal year.

nCrenshaw County EMA Director Jessica Tomlin-Blackshear reported to the Commission that the four outdoor weather warning sirens whose locations were in question by Engineer Benjie Sanders on safety issues, would be moved this week by McCord Communications out of Anniston. Also, Blackshear received approval from FEMA to move the Jones Bridge Road siren to its new location.

nDuring the work session, Sheriff Charles West asked the Commission for the use of County Waste Officer John Hollis’s former office in the courthouse for his investigators. During the regular meeting, when the issue was put before the commissioners, Commissioner Ed Beasley asked to amend the motion in order to make it a temporary arrangement. The amendment passed with Commissioners Ronnie Blackmon and Charlie Sankey voting no, and Chairman Ronnie Hudson and Commissioners Ricky McElwain and Ed Beasley voting yes. However, when the new motion was put before the commission, it failed on a 1-4 vote against allowing the Sheriff’s Department to use the office, with Ed Beasley being the only “yes” vote.

Chairman Hudson and Commissioner Sankey said the deputies and investigators had new offices in the jail to use, and would soon be given the old health department building for use after the county’s new health department was built.

nCommissioner Ricky McElwain thanked Sheriff Charles West and the Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Department for their work in the murder investigations of Mr. Charles Kelley and Mrs. Patricia Barginere at Kelley’s Grocery and Market in Highland Home on Aug. 27.

The next Crenshaw County Commission meeting will be held on Monday, Sept. 22, beginning with a public hearing at 5:45 p.m.