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Seven Deaths Over Memorial Day Weekend By Brandon K. Pierce Alabama Ledger Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Troopers investigated a total of seven fatalities during the recent 2022 Memorial Day Weekend. ALEA reported four traffic deaths and three marine-related events (drownings) during the extended holiday week. ALEA said that three drivers and one motorcyclist were killed in traffic crashes on Alabama roadways. Two of the three drivers were not using seat belts at the time of their crashes. One person was buckled up, and the motorcyclist was using a helmet. The fatal crashes occurred in Dallas, Shelby, St. Clair and Tuscaloosa counties. “Notifying the next of kin following a fatal crash or drowning is a responsibility Troopers dread most, particularly during a fun-filled holiday weekend,” said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “We cannot stress enough the importance of simply buckling up and practicing good driving and boating behaviors.” Troopers within ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division investigated three marine-related fatalities (drownings) and experienced zero boating fatalities on Alabama waterways. As in years past, Troopers within Highway Patrol and Marine Patrol Divisions spent the weekend patrolling, but this year, ALEA took safety a step further and partnered its Aviation Unit with Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Fire Departments to assist with a Summer Rescue Swimmer detail throughout Memorial Day weekend, utilizing the aircraft to conduct beach safety flights and patrolling areas where lifeguards were not available. ALEA Aviation received and responded to seven calls for service in which rescue swimmers were deployed from the aircraft a total of three times. During the three deployments, a total of 16 distressed swimmers were rescued. “We are extremely grateful for the partnership with our local first responders who coordinated this specific detail, along with our Aviation Unit to prevent the loss of life on Alabama’s scenic beaches,” said Secretary Taylor. “The success of this rapid response detail is a true testament to the dedication of all first responders involved over the holiday weekend who worked diligently together for the common cause of saving lives in our great state.” Alabama Department of Insurance Commissioner Jim Ridling will retire at the end of June after nearly 14 years serving the state in this capacity. “As Alabama’s longest serving insurance commissioner, Jim has kept stability in the agency, all while bringing fresh ideas to ensure our state was offering our people the best, whether that be in times of natural disaster or simply in our day to day lives,” said Governor Ivey. “I am truly grateful Jim dedicated so many years to the state of Alabama and wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.” In addition to being Alabama’s longest serving insurance commissioner, Ridling is also the longest serving appointed commissioner in the country. He has wasted no time while serving in this role and has kept Alabama actively involved in the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), even serving as chairman of the Southeast Zone for 10 years. During his tenure, Ridling has led the Alabama Department of Insurance to be re- accredited by the NAIC three times, most recently in April. “Jim has also been a consistent and tireless advocate for home fortification and statewide resiliency in times of disaster,” added Governor Ivey. Ridling established the Strengthen Alabama Homes (SAH) program at the department to provide grants of up to $10,000 to Alabama residents for home fortification, and from that, Alabama has become a national model for successful building fortification. By the end of this year, the program should reach 5,000 homes fortified, making Alabama the number one state in the nation for the most residential homes fortified to IBHS standards. In recognition of his long-time efforts and achievements in establishing Alabama as the nation’s leader in resilient construction, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety named Ridling the recipient of its inaugural Lifetime Achievement in Resilience award just last month. In addition to establishing the SAH program, Ridling created the Insurance Fraud Bureau within the Alabama Department of Insurance dedicated to investigating allegations of criminal insurance fraud and a cyber-security center to protect Alabamians from cyber criminals. Governor Ivey has named Alabama Department of Insurance Deputy Commissioner Mark Fowler as acting commissioner. Fowler’s appointment is effective July 1, 2022. Fowler’s experience in the agency, as well as additional experience on the state and federal sides will serve the state well. State Insurance Commissioner Set To Retire
Alabama Earns ‘Silver Shovel’ Award for Economic Development Submitted Photo Snead State Community College added new equipment for its Industrial Systems Technology program to provide students with real-world learning experiences. Three new robotic trainers were added to the program’s training lab thanks to funding from an Industrial Systems Expansion and Enhancement grant. The units are six-axis, industrial grade robots that provide hands-on learning opportunities with fully-functional work cells. Students also receive training using a virtual robot, using RobotStudio software. The Industrial Systems Technology program requires two semesters of robot instruction. Beginning in the Fall 2022, students who successfully complete the classes will be certified in basic ABB robot programming and operation. For more information email todd.freshwater@snead.edu. SSCC Industrial Systems Technology students (from left) Anthony Vasquez, Logan Wilson, Kevin Franco, Jake Knighten, and Jesus Cruz are pictured using one of the new robotic trainers recently added to the program’s training lab. SSCC Program Adds New Equipment
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has announced that Area Development, a national business publication, has selected Alabama for a Silver Shovel Award, recognizing the state’s economic development successes in 2021. The honor reflects strong recruitment results for the Alabama team, with companies announcing new facilities and expansion projects involving $7.7 billion in new capital investment during 2021. It stands as the second highest annual investment total for the state, trailing only the $8.1 billion recorded in 2018. These 2021 projects will create over 10,000 jobs across Alabama and inject economic vitality into many communities located in both urban and rural areas. “High-performing companies from around the globe have discovered first-hand that they can find all the advantages they need to succeed right here in Sweet Home Alabama,” said Governor Ivey. “The Silver Shovel Award is a testament to the state’s pro-business environment and to the skilled workforce that makes that success possible.” In its new report, Area Development singled out The J.M. Smucker Co.’s project to build a manufacturing and distribution facility in Jefferson County as one of its “Deals of the Year.” “The combination of peanut butter and jelly is comfort food for many people, and frozen PB&J sandwiches will be comforting a lot of Alabama lives when a $1.1 billion Smucker’s plant opens in Jefferson County,” the magazine writes. “The deal promises some 750 jobs that will pay an average of $25 an hour, making the company’s Uncrustables frozen sandwiches.” Alabama shared a Silver Shovel Award with Indiana and South Carolina in the category for states with populations between 5 million and 8 million. “The overarching goal of Alabama’s economic development team is to spark the creation of good jobs and enhance opportunity throughout the state by strategically focusing on high-impact industries with solid growth prospects,” said Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “This honor is another concrete example showing that our team is executing on its plan and delivering results that make a difference for the state.”
Photo Courtesy of Governor's Office
Area Development’s annual Gold and Silver Shovel Awards evaluate the overall effectiveness of economic development efforts in states across the nation. Alabama has been a frequent winner since the magazine launched the awards in 2006, when it won a Gold Shovel. The state also claimed a Gold Shovel in 2020 for success in economic development projects that advanced the manufacturing sector. Besides Smucker, other top 2021 Alabama projects listed by the magazine included Hanwha Cimarron’s plans for a manufacturing plant in Opelika, Amazon’s plans for fulfillment centers in Huntsville and Montgomery, as well as Alabama Graphite LLC’s investment in a graphite processing facility in rural Coosa County. A full look at the state’s 2021 economic development results can be found in the Alabama Department of Commerce’s comprehensive “New & Expanding Industry Report,” released this spring. Since 2017, when Governor Ivey took office, economic development activity in Alabama has attracted over $32 billion in new investment through projects creating 65,000 jobs, according to Commerce figures.
With the recent hot weather across Alabama, eating ice cream is one way that some folks have remained cool. ARC of DeKalb County is proud to be helping these folks out with their new A Little Something Extra Ice Cream Truck. The truck officially began operation in June at Geraldine. The truck's second stop was at Teddy Gentry's Singing with the Stars music event at Northeast Alabama Community College on June 16, 2022. The truck (shown above) was a big hit during the intermission, as many music fans lined up to try their various types of Ice Cream. A Little Something Extra 2.0 Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, Alabama Ledger
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