Fire Department testing hydrants

UNDERWOOD-PETERS VILLE — The Underwood-Petersville Volunteer Fire Department will begin testing fire hydrants in the district today.

Department president Adam McCanless said the testing will go through Nov. 10.

He said the tests ensure the hydrants have plenty of water and pressure.

McCanless said residents should be aware that testing could cause a temporary change in water color for short periods of time.

For details, call 256-764-7740.

Firefighters to compete today

FLORENCE — Volunteer firefighters from throughout Lauderdale County will show off their skills today as a part of the annual Life and Safety Day competition.

The competition will take place in Lowe's parking lot on Cox Creek Parkway.

Registration begins at 8 a.m.; the competition begins at 9 a.m.

Nicky Kavich, of the Waterloo Volunteer Fire Department, said the Life and Safety Day competition is a part of Fire Prevention Week.

Greenhill Fire Chief Barry Gray said the competition is a chance for the firefighters to show off their skills.

"They look forward to participating each year and they take pride in being a part of the competition," Gray said.

Kavich said there will be activities for children and food and soft drinks.

"It's a day of fun and learning. We want people to leave there and know how to be safer in their home and hopefully prevent fires," he said.

Free Internet workshops set

ConnectingALABAMA, an initiative created to encourage the use of high-speed Internet statewide, will host Internet workshops Monday at 2:30 and 4 p.m. at Franklin County Courthouse, room 1.

Representatives from businesses and organizations in Franklin, Colbert, Lauderdale, Marion and Winston counties may attend. The 2:30 p.m. workshop will focus on broadband technologies, while the 4 p.m. workshop will be geared toward creating websites for businesses.

The workshops are free. There is no need to sign up in advance.

For details, email Nicole D'Andrea Stinson at ndandrea@linkamericaalliance.com.

Business offers pink hair today

Stylists at Victoria's Tanning and Hair will put pink highlights in women's bangs today for free as part of breast cancer awareness month.

Owner Chris Staggs said donations will be accepted, with all donations going for cancer research. The business will match total donations made during today's fundraiser.

Staggs said "other goodies" will be offered during the fundraiser, which will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at the business, at 5523 Alabama 157 in Florence, one mile past Underwood Baptist Church on the left.

Women can have one streak across their bangs in permanent pink hair color. Those without bangs are welcome to have a highlight streak added to their hair, as well.

Resurfacing to be complete soon

Resurfacing on Alabama 20 between Hillsboro and Courtland should be complete in three to four weeks, said Alabama Department of Transportation District 2 Manager Hiram Garner.

Transportation engineer Craig Elliott said the $2.6 million project will resurface 6.27 miles.

Travel on the road is being reduced to one lane in each direction where workers are present during the day.

Elliott said the project hasn't caused major traffic delays.

Committee hands outs grants

FLORENCE — The Lauderdale County Community Development Commission has approved more than $100,000 in grants for 20 requested projects in the county.

Commission members said the projects include elementary school music and art classes in Lauderdale County schools, developing a historical society and improvements to parks and recreational facilities.

Records indicate the commission receives about $600,000 per year that must be spent in the county.

The four-member committee is charged with distributing part of the Tennessee Valley Authority in-lieu-of-tax payments to promote economic development, enhance education and recreation offerings and help municipal governments, fire departments and community centers.

The state Legislature passed a bill six years ago that took TVA in-lieu-of-taxes money from Alabama counties not served by TVA and made it available to those where TVA provides electricity.

Most of the counties receiving additional money are in north Alabama, including the Shoals.

Instead of sending the extra money to county commissions where other TVA funds go, the legislation created committees in each county to determine how the money is to be used. The local legislative delegation appointed committee members who review requests and decide who gets the money and how much.