Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism reached elite status this week with the announcement that it hard earned accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies.

A lot of issues bounce to the top of the headlines day-in and day-out, but one that has lagged behind since the last presidential election is quietly climbing back up the chart.

The roll of drums and the blare of trumpets will signal another kickoff of high school and college football.

I want to thank Ben Bullard and The Cullman Times for the article written before our ceremony (Finis J. Self Chapter 2212 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart) last Saturday.

Downtown Cullman just enjoyed the largest 2nd Fridays event in its history, with thousands of people lining the entertainment district last week for shopping, music, rides, classic cars and much more.

The ongoing investigation into the motives of the Dayton, Ohio gunman who killed nine people on Aug. 4 raises more concern about the access to guns, ammunition and equipment that he easily obtained.

A recent article in The Times brought attention to the heavy demand by local residents for food from Cullman Caring for Kids’ food bank.

The weekend shootings that left 31 people dead and dozens wounded has stirred predictable debates about gun control.

As a new school year approaches, the usual anticipation and anxiety about getting adjusted into new classes, meeting new teachers and making friends is perhaps foremost on the minds of students.

Alabama has gained some lofty national rankings on the economic front that are an indicator of perhaps more good things to come.

A lawsuit that has been lingering for three years in Alabama could have interesting implications in future elections of state appellate judges.

Gov. Kay Ivey is initiating some steps she hopes will stop the Department of Justice from filing a lawsuit over the state’s prison conditions.

A report from the Hanceville Fire Department Thursday raises concern about the lack of codes for certain dwellings in unincorporated areas.

In less than two weeks, the 50-year anniversary of Neil Armstrong stepping onto the moon’s surface and saying the the now-famous words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” will be recognized in a wide range of celebrations.

The American economy finished strong in June, adding some 224,000 new jobs.

Our nation’s birthday Thursday will be highlighted festivals, cookouts and star-spangled fireworks to celebrate the bold declaration of July 4, 1776, in which Thomas Jefferson and many other great freedom thinkers declared independence from the old-world crown of Great Britain.

Summer affords more leisure time to explore the community, visit museums, as well as all the fun-in-the-sun activities.

The emergency room at Cullman Regional is visited by 50,000 people annually, but with a $30 million investment, help is on the way.

The Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual tourism awards paid homage to an individual who quietly drew thousands of visitors to Cullman County.

The Republican field seeking a shot at the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Doug Jones is becoming crowded with the addition of Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill.

The statistics concerning the driving habits in Cullman County are alarming.

Alabama's economy continues to steamroll into historically one of its most prolific periods.

Roy Moore is back to doing what he does best.

Roy Moore, the former and twice-booted chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court is searching his ego once again about a run for public.

Churches have long been a sanctuary from the troubles of the world. They are places of learning, spiritual growth and worship.

The eighth presentation of Rock the South brought another stellar lineup of musicians to Cullman, along with a two-day audience of about 65,000.

Good news can lighten any day, especially when it’s close to home.

After a wave of high-powered, erratic tornadoes swept through Indiana and Ohio and six other states Monday, tornado season remains deadly and alive.

The shock and horror of war has befallen countless men and women throughout history, but the grim realities of armed conflict deeply affected Americans in the Civil War.

While the Alabama Legislature and Gov. Kay Ivey were the focus of national and international headlines following passage of the most stringent abortion legislation to date, the Senate, without much fanfare, approved a measure to abolish the elected state school board.

In March, this space featured an opinion on freshman Alabama lawmaker Rep. Andrew Sorrell, R-Muscle Shoals, and his legislation to save millions for Alabama taxpayers.

Beginning this year, the Common Application – an online form that enables students to apply to the 800 or so colleges that use it – will no longer ask students about their criminal pasts.

Ask any daughter or son, and the celebration of Mother’s Day stirs different emotions, and all center on love.

The Alabama Legislature continues to find a way to complicate the simple idea of a lottery.

Small cities and towns often struggle to attract visitors, investments and even maintain or grow population as urban areas continue to pack in new jobs and residents.

The Major League Fishing tournament has flashed a large spotlight on not just Cullman, but three local men who have made a big splash in the contagious sport of bass fishing.

Event season is well underway in Cullman with the recently completed Bloomin’ Festival, Senior Shindig and Strawberry Festival, followed this week by the first Major League Fishing's (MLF) Bass Pro Tour Phoenix Boats Stage Five.

The recent rise and fall of Cullman County’s half-cent sales tax for education opened a proverbial can of worms, far beyond the politics and missteps of how it came and went.

Another chapter in the need for transparency surfaced Monday night when the Cullman Hotel Association, a group of local hotel operators, publicly denounced the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce for operating in the dark when it comes to lodging tax money.

Spring marks the rebirth of the natural world, from the greening and budding of trees to flowers push up from the ground in colorful splendor.

An Alabama Senate bill to allow concealed carry of firearms without a permit is widely opposed by law enforcement officials, and rightfully so.

Republican Roy Moore, the twice-removed Alabama Supreme Court chief justice and failed U.S. Senate candidate is leading the pack of hopefuls for the 2020 election, according to early polling in the race for the seat now held by Democrat Doug Jones.

The rising cost of tuition at colleges and universities over the last 40 years is a crushing financial burden for many parents and students, who are left paying loans for years after graduation.

Caring for Kids has an endless mission: protecting children from abuse.

A nearly forgotten slice of American history found a place on the stage several years ago with the musical production and film, “Newsies.”

I have to take issue with the “logic” presented by state Rep. Rich Wingo, R-Tuscaloosa, in the April 6 edition of The Times and that of all other pro-life supporters in that they fail to comprehend, most being male, that it is the woman who becomes pregnant and it is they who, even when having children, are the primary care givers for children.

The Alabama Senate now has dueling bills to establish a lottery.

A few clouds, maybe a shower, and a little sunshine throughout the day is typical of a north Alabama spring.

Think back for a moment to what our country was like in 1973.