CULLMAN — Good morning, readers, this is what's happening in your county today:



Weather:



Today: Patchy freezing fog before 9 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. North wind around 5 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 25. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.



Best bets:



Cullman County Democrats: The group will meet at 11:30 a.m. at Ryan’s Family Steakhouse, 1720 Cherokee Ave. SW, Cullman 35055).



Overeaters Anonymous: OA members will meet at 4:45 p.m. in the Carriage House at Grace Episcopal Church. Info: 256-747-6218 or 256-352-1143.



Looking ahead:



Retirement reception: Friends and family of Judge Don Hardeman and Circuit Clerk Robert Bates will gather for a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11, in the large third-floor courtroom, in the Cullman County Courthouse, 500 2nd Ave. SW, Cullman 35055.



Children’s Theater coming to Cullman: The national theater group, Missoula Children’s Theater, will be coming to Cullman for a weeklong rehearsal and presentation of “The Wizard of Oz”, with a cast of 50-60 Cullman area children. Auditions will be at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21, at McGukin Civic Center in Cullman. Open to children in grades k-12, and 50 actors; all must be committed to practicing from Tuesday through Friday after school and from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, when two performances will be given. Those chosen for the play will pay a $20 fee, which includes two parents tickets good for each show. Info: McGukin Civic Center at 256-734-9157 or email Wade Harbison at wharbison@cullmanrecreation.org.



Beauty pageant for missions: Grace Community Church, 9350 Highway 278 E, Cullman 35055, is sponsoring a beauty pageant to be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, at the church. All proceeds will go to the church’s missions fund for a trip to Brazil. Early bird discount deadline is Jan. 12, $30 deposit holds place in line and early bird discount. Contestants will compete in beauty/formal wear and can wear optional Valentine outfit of choice. To register, or for more information, contact Tammy Reid at 256-338-3328 or email to garyzluv7@aol.com.



10 Things to Know for Today

By The Associated Press

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and stories that will be talked about today (times in EST):

1. OVER THE CLIFF AND BACK TO CONGRESS

After a contentious vote on the “fiscal cliff,” the 113th Congress is sworn in, following one of the least productive terms in decades.

2. ANYTHING BUT A NORMAL SCHOOL DAY

Survivors of the Newtown rampage in Connecticut go back to school for the first time in a nearby town.

3. WHERE THE GOOGLE CEO WON’T BE ABLE TO TAKE HIS SMARTPHONE

The AP’s Jean H. Lee reports Eric Schmidt is traveling on a humanitarian mission to North Korea.

4. CLINTON LEAVES HOSPITAL

She spent three days in New York receiving blood thinners to dissolve a blood clot in her head.

5. BOEHNER BACKTRACKS ON BILL FOR SANDY VICTIMS

Facing outraged lawmakers, the House speaker scheduled two votes this month for roughly $60 billion in aid.

6. CHARGES FILED IN INDIA OVER GANG RAPE ON BUS

Police say they will seek the death penalty for five men charged with rape and murder.

7. FORECASTING FLU SEASON

Scientists are using weather data in their attempts to predict disease outbreaks.

8. WHY A SPERM DONOR WAS TOLD TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT

Kansas officials say the agreement the donor signed with a lesbian couple wasn’t legal because a doctor wasn’t used.

9. WHAT THE MILITARY IS PUNISHING KOREAN POP STAR FOR

Defense officials say Rain met with Korean actress Kim Tae-hee while he was serving mandatory military duty.

10. CARDINALS ‘SHOCK THE WORLD’ IN SUGAR BOWL

No. 22 Louisville made good on safety Calvin Pryor’s promise and upset No. 4  Florida 33-23.