Special to The Times
Gadsden State Community College recently held its 55th annual Honors Day events at the Wallace Hall Fine Arts Center in Gadsden. (A companion event was held at the Cheaha Center on the Ayers Campus in Anniston.)
The programs spanned two days of recognizing student achievements and scholarship presentations. Almost 300 awards and scholarships were given.
Noah Grady is the 2021 recipient of the Allen-Ray Award, traditionally one of the highest honors presented each spring. The award, which has been presented at every Honors Day program over the past 54 years, is presented in honor of the late Sen. James B. Allen and the late Jack Ray, former CEO of the Exchange Bank of Alabama. Both men were active supporters of Gadsden State.
Anniston to honor 60th anniversary of Freedom Rides in Alabama with 2-day celebration
By Anthony Cook May 12, 2021
The history of the Freedom Rides in Anniston 60 years ago will be marked with events in the city this weekend. (Anthony Cook / Alabama NewsCenter and BCRI)
Three of the original Freedom Riders plan to make another trip to the city of Anniston this weekend – this time to be honored in recognition of the 60
th anniversary of the historic rides.
From May to September 1961, more than 60 Freedom Rides took place, during which more than 400 young Blacks and whites traveled shoulder to shoulder, challenging the Jim Crow transportation laws prohibiting Blacks and whites from sitting together on the bus. A Supreme Court ruling had struck down those laws, but cities across the South were ignoring it.
The board reconvened the emergency meeting Monday that was now in its third day, and immediately moved into executive session to interview Plante. Fifty-four minutes later they came out without Plante and passed motions to hire him as interim town manager and the two deputy roles.
This is Plante’s second stint as interim town manager of Buckfield. He previously served in the role for five months from August 2017 to January 2018.
Since March 2019, he has worked as a behavior health professional for the Auburn School Department.
Plante was hired as Poland Town Manager in 2014 following four years as town manager in Hampstead, Maryland. He served out his three-year term in Poland and chose to let his contract expire and not seek a new contract. He said at the time that it was not a resignation.
The Centre Lions Club has announced its annual scholarship awards to graduating seniors from Cherokee County’s high schools.
This year s winners are Tiffany Durham, Allison Mulligan and Lindsey Chambers of Sand Rock High School; and Olivia Oliphant, Makenzie Green and Ethan Laney of Cherokee County High School. (No applications were received from Gaylesville, Cedar Bluff and Spring Garden.)
The club has awarded the scholarships for more than 15 years, and this year increased the total amount to $5,000, which will be divided equally among the six recipients.
The total has been $2,500 for most years, with the exception of one year at $3,000 and another at $3,750. Club members noted the increase in college costs in approving the larger amount.
May 8, 2021
Escambia County has named new purchasing manager.
Randy Burns joins Escambia County with over 25 years of experience in private and public procurement.
“Mr. Burns comes to us with an impeccable resume and experience,” said County Administrator Janice Gilley. “I look forward to him bringing our county purchasing processes into the 21st century.”
As the Escambia County purchasing manager Burns’ duties include overseeing Escambia County’s procurement program and contracts management by supervising personnel as well as developing and administering policies and procedures to procure quality goods or services for the county.
“I’m looking forward to joining Escambia County and returning to the community I grew up in,” said Burns. “I am dedicated to ensuring the procurement process is transparent and accessible for those interested in conducting business with Escambia County.”