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



Traffic:



The Cullman City Street Department’s patch crew will be working on 4th St. SE. Also, Broadway Ave. is closed temporarily due to downed tree limbs; the city crew is working to removed the debris.



Weather:



Today, showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 57. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Tonight, showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 55. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.



Best bets:



SWCD meeting: The Cullman Soil and Water Conservation District’s supervisors’ meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. in the USDA Service Center, 501 4th St. SW, Cullman 35055. All interested persons may attend.



Seniors’ drivers safety class: A driver safety class, hosted by the Martha Burchell Insurance Agency, will be offered from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. today and tomorrow at the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, 301 2nd Ave. SW, Cullman 35055 (256-734-0454). Taking this course may provide a reduction in auto insurance. The fee for this class is $12/AARP members and $14/non-AARP members.

To register, contact Martha Burchell Insurance office at 256-727-7450 or Richard Gurley at 256-739-9883.



Looking ahead:



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/info: Tammy Reid at 256-338-3328 or email to garyzluv7@aol.com.



Oktoberfest 2013: The 2013 Cullman Oktoberfest Committee is currently accepting proposals for an entertainment promoter for the fall event (Oct. 5-12, 2013). Those interested in submitting a proposal should contact Julie Burks at the Cullman County Museum at 256-739-1258 or by email at oktoberfest@cullmancity.org; a scope of services will be sent. Deadline for submission is Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013.



Rummage/bake sale: Refuge Church, 1115 Highway 278, Cullman 35055, will hold a rummage and bake sale Jan. 25-26. Spaces for rent are $20 (plus a $10 cleanup depost, refunded when area cleaned). All proceeds to go to building fund. Info: Patricia Chapman at 256-796-7070.



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:

1.WHERE THE NRA IS FOCUSING GUN RIGHTS FIGHT

The group is opposing Obama’s judicial nominees seen as likely to enforce stronger gun control laws.

2. MONTHS OF PREPARATION FOR THE COLORADO THEATER SHOOTING

Police testified James Holmes bought tear gas grenades two months before the rampage that killed 12 and chemicals to booby-trap his apartment.

3. A SYRIAN PRISONER SWAP

Rebels freed 48 Iranians held captive since August for more than 2,000 Syrians in what appeared to be the first prisoner swap of the civil war.

4. HOTTEST. YEAR. EVER.

U.S. temperatures were off the charts during 2012, a year marked by drought and a barely there winter.

5. WHAT THE US SEES IN PHOTOS OF MISSING INVESTIGATOR

Intelligence officials tell the AP Iran was behind images and video sent to the family of ex-FBI agent Robert Levinson, who disappeared in 2007.

6. SIRI, WHAT SHOULD I WATCH?

TVs of the future will respond to voice commands, allowing viewers to chuck the remote.

7. ARMSTRONG AGREES TO TALK ABOUT DOPING

The interview with Oprah Winfrey addressing charges he used performance-enhancing drugs throughout his career will air Jan. 17. 

8. WHY YOU HAVEN’T HEARD OF KANAKANAVU

There are only 10 speakers on the planet of the aboriginal language from Taiwan.

9. TWITTER EXPLODES OVER ‘BAMA QB’S GIRLFRIEND

Ex-Miss Alabama Katherine Webb now has more followers than boyfriend AJ McCarron after ESPN cameras lingered on her at the championship game.

10. WHO’S NOMINATED FOR THE BRITISH ‘OSCARS’

“Lincoln” led with 10 nominations, “Les Miserables” and “Life of Pi” nabbed nine each in the British Academy Film Awards race.