Winter Weather Updates
Mayor Betterton's Weekly Update
February 17, 2021
To the citizens of Florence -
Growing up as a kid, I always raced to the TV on snow days to see if I was getting a free or surprise day at home from school. However, as Mayor of a city with over 800 employees, it is much more challenging. My goal is to always maintain a safe work environment while providing employees with the tools they need to professionally do their jobs. I want to publicly say thanks to them as we work through this difficult weather event. Stay safe!
Mayor Andy Betterton
Inclement Weather Updates
Florence Council meeting was cancelled, and will be rescheduled for a later date. "We want to keep everyone safe. Please be weather aware and take precautions during this winter weather," said Council President Dick Jordan.
Solid Waste, Street, & Recycle:
All Florence garbage, recycle, and curbside trash services are delayed until further notice. We will continue to monitor the situation and update you as conditions improve.
Florence Police Department:
Most of the roads and bridges remain impassable. Please stay off the roads if possible. Call
256-760-6610 for any non-emergency issue to ensure 911 does not get overwhelmed.
Florence Utilities:
Florence Utilities is open and ready to respond to any weather-related service issues. To report an outage or downed power line, call 256-764-4456.
Florence Municipal Court:
The Florence Municipal court will be closed February 16-18 due to weather conditions. Anyone who had a scheduled court date will receive a continuance in the mail sent to the address on file. It is the responsibility of the citizen to maintain a correct address with the court. Please contact the Florence Municipal Court office with questions or to update an address.
Message From the Salvation Army
Dear people of The Shoals! Due to the extreme cold weather event, our Center of Hope Shelter has been open 24 hours. Our physical address is 1601 Huntsville Road, Florence. The shelter entrance is on 138 Minnehaha St. If you or anyone you know needs shelter from the weather, food, or is not safe, please call us 256-764-4432 ext 509 or 256-856-1937.
Downtown Florence: A Handwritten History
For many years, Florence Main Street released a calendar highlighting historical properties in Downtown Florence. The calendars ranged in themes, and all of the calendar content is represented in this book. There are four sections: Live, Work, Praise, and Visit, which feature historic homes, historic commercial buildings, historic houses of worship, and historic sites to visit, respectively. There have been many individuals who have served on the Design Committee of Florence Main Street, now Downtown Florence Alliance. We hope this book honors their work and contributions to our community. The content was written and edited by Billy Ray Warren.
Your copy of the 11x11 coffee table book Downtown Florence: A Handwritten History can be purchased for $40 at Jack's Place Bistro, Kennedy Douglass, or by visiting downtownflorencealliance.com.
WHNT 19: Featuring Giles McDaniel with Shoals Business Incubator
Shoals Business Incubator is a support for startup companies and provides them with multiple resources to get started affordably. Many of the businesses found in the SBI have a focus on stem-related work. Like Monzyk which is using its LXX prototype to remove harmful chemicals from water making it potable. There’s also Green Acres Organic Pharms, an industrial hemp processor that focuses on extracting CBD oil. Giles McDaniel said "the city has always been a key supporter. We take the money that they contribute to our operations and we leverage that with other monies that we have and provide the resources that these companies need to give them their first step up into the business world,” he said.
One of the incubator’s most recent investments is a 3D printing lab complete with its own 3D scanner. McDaniel said funding is tight because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the incubator hasn’t seen as many startups, but because of the city’s continued support, it can maintain the same level of service. View the whole story by Jeremy Jackson at WHNT 19.
RESET AT THE RIVER WILL START BACK MONDAY, FEB 22
RESET AT RIVER (MCFARLAND PARK) WITH THE YMCA AND THE CITY OF FLORENCE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT WILL RESUME NEXT MONDAY!
Come join us at the river for a month of inspiration! RESET AT THE RIVER will have inspirational speakers, exercise instructors and extension agents sharing information about RECONNECTING with others, REINVESTING in self and community, REFRESHING food choices and RESTORING spirit, mind and body. Get out of the house, put on a mask, spread out at our river, and be inspired! Be ready to move and RESET!!!
· Meet for the 20 minutes a day/5 days a week exercise challenge!
· Spend four weeks gathering with your community at the river for 30 minutes on weekdays!
· Engage in activities on the RESET AT THE RIVER Activity Sheet! Let’s Go!
When: February 22– March 13
Time: Every day at Noon
Location: The Tennessee River at McFarland Park
Rain location: The YMCA of the Shoals Gymnasium
Questions? Call Cathy Turner at the YMCA at 256-246-9622
Coming Soon:
Burger King
4240 Florence Blvd.
A new Burger King location will be opening in Florence! The popular fast food restaurant will be conveniently located next to Rick’s Barbeque near Shoal Creek bridge. Stay tuned for more details.
LEADERS OF FLORENCE COMMEMORATED
As with other towns across the United States, the history of Florence may be interpreted through the streets, roads, parks and structures named in honor of its citizen-leaders over the years. Here is just a sampling of streets and roads bearing the names of revered leaders: Irvine Avenue, Dr. Hicks Boulevard, O'Neal Street, Wood Avenue, Bradshaw Drive, Jackson Road, Sannoner Avenue, Weakley Street, Willingham Road, Kirkman Street. Parks named in commemoration of distinguished city leaders are: Deibert, McFarland, Martin and Rosenbaum. Structures such as Courtview/Rogers Hall, W.C. Handy School, O'Neal Bridge, Norton Auditorium, Weeden School, Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts, the Justice John McKinley Federal Building, Harlan Elementary School and Braly Municipal Stadium are, likewise, named for well-known community leaders. So, even though this list is fairly lengthy, it is just a sampling of the notable leaders who have, singly and together, helped to weave the 200-year-old story of Florence, Alabama. And the contributions made by each commemorated person is an important link in that story.
-Billy Warren, City Historian
NEXT COUNCIL MEETING
The Mayor and Council members will hold the next council meeting on
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
4:00 p.m. Work Session
5:00 p.m. Council Meeting
City Auditorium
103 South Pine Street
A little laugh ...
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Connect with Us!
Email: abetterton@florenceal.org
Website: florenceal.org
Location: 110 West College Street, Florence, AL, USA
Phone: (256)760-6400