Newsletter

Dear Friends,

After completing my quarantine, I am proud to have returned to work free of Covid and enthusiastic about this year! I appreciate all the thoughts, prayers, cards, and calls I received during and after my recovery. It is important moving forward that we all be mindful to wear our masks, sanitize our hands, and maintain an appropriate distance from individuals who are not members of our household.

I look forward to continuing my service to the citizens of this great city and move forward together. God bless!

- Mayor Andy Betterton

COVID VACCINE INFORMATION

The latest information from the Alabama Department of Public Health website states as follows:

As of January 27, 2021, vaccination information and locations apply only to residents 75 years and older.

The Lauderdale County Health Department is taking walk-ins only. No Appointments. The locations listed below have the vaccine available and it is suggested that you contact them to make an appointment and check with them regarding their guidelines for administering the vaccine.

Killen Drug Store, 1621 Highway 72, 256-757-2166

Killen Clinic, 148 J.C. Mauldin, 256-757-5353

Internal Medicine Clinic, 204 Ana Dr, 256-767-5940

Florence Medical Associates, 646 Cox Creek Pkwy, 256-760-4544

Lauderdale County Health Dept, 4112 Chisholm Rd, 256-764-7453

Family Health Care, 216 S Marengo St, 256-760-8289

For More Information:

ADPH COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard:

Let's Play Ball!

We are currently having Baseball, Softball, and Soccer registration for the upcoming Spring season at Florence Parks & Recreation. Please go to FPARD.com to register your child today! For more info or questions, call 256-760-6628.

Thousand Eyes Program

The Florence Indian Mound Museum is seeking volunteers for the Shoals Chapter of the Thousand Eyes Program. The program trains volunteers to assist archaeologists by helping to monitor archaeological sites in the Shoals for looting and environmental damage. Each year, thousands of Native American objects are stolen from burial sites around the Shoals. Learn More..

The deadline for Florence businesses to renew operating licenses for 2021 has been extended to Monday, February 1. Due to the pandemic, the City Clerk's office is encouraging businesses to renew their license digitally or by mail to facilitate this process.

· Online: https://payyourlicenseonline.com/florence/

· By Mail: Florence City Clerk, PO BOX 98, Florence, AL 35631

· By Appointment: Call 256-760-6683

New Business - Coming Soon

The Artsy Place-The Coffee Place - 2nd Location

1520 Florence Blvd.

The Artsy Place is a DIY studio that offers guided projects in pottery, canvas, wooden mediums, and more! Also, the Coffee Place will be located at the studio. More information...

New Business – Now Open

Shoals Hair Company

214 Ana Drive, Suite D

Shoals Hair Company is now open. Anthony Ingram, professional stylist and owner, offers hair extensions, day spa, barber cuts, and more. More information....

LiftOff Shoals is a GO for 2021! 🚀

Calling all entrepreneurs or anyone with interest in independent business ventures--

Now is your chance to compete for up to $20,000 to help with the expansion of your business into a high-growth market!

Applications are OPEN and will close on February 26. The competition finals for LiftOff Shoals will take place on May 18 at Pickett Place, 438 N Seminary St, Florence, AL 35630.

For more information, visit www.liftoffshoals.com!

THE THREE GAME-CHANGERS

As with any town or city anywhere, many forces have come together over time to make Florence the great city it is today. But, considering the major events that have occurred since Florence's founding in 1818, three stand out in bold relief. First, there was the "taming" of the mighty Tennessee River which finally occurred in 1925 with the completion of Wilson Dam. (This monumental event was the culmination of many attempts, beginning as early as 1836, at building canals and locks -- even the construction of an aqueduct on Shoals Creek.) Along the way, a second game-changer had taken place when, in 1855, LaGrange College moved from Colbert County to Florence, setting the stage for the evolution of a small college into the University of North Alabama, a highly-acclaimed regional institution of higher learning today. Then, in 1933, there was the advent of TVA which lit up the Valley with dependable, inexpensive electricity and brought world-class science researchers to work and live here. Together, these three game-changers worked to form a solid base, assuring a bright future for the beautiful town known as Florence, Alabama.

--Billy Warren, City Historian


1855 Set the stage for UNA	1925 Completion of Wilson Dam	1933 Advent of TVA

1855

Set the stage for UNA

1925

Completion of Wilson Dam

1933

Advent of TVA

Congratulations To Florence Native, Mark Libell

Recently featured in the Times Daily, Mark Libell was named chief of staff for newly-elected Georgia Senator, Rev. Raphael Warnock. Growing up in Florence, he graduated from the former Coffee High School. We wish him great success in his exciting endeavors with Sen. Warnock.

Times Daily Article

NEXT COUNCIL MEETING

The Mayor and Council members will hold the next council meeting on

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

4:00 p.m. Work Session

5:00 p.m. Council Meeting

City Auditorium

103 South Pine Street

How to Submit Your Event, News, or Announcement:

Public and community events or announcements can be submitted by attaching an email, Word document, PDF, or JPG file suitable for viewing on the web. Include graphics in JPG or PNG if possible.
Along with your information, include your name, phone number, event name, location, date and time, and a brief description.
IMPORTANT: Please submit your information no later than Tuesday of each week (preferably sooner). Submissions after the deadline will be added to the next week's publication. The newsletter is posted on Thursday afternoon.
Send your information to rmansell@florenceal.org or call Rachel Koonce with questions at 256-760-6494.

Newsletter

Mayor Betterton's Weekly Update

Newsletter

Mayor Betterton's Weekly Update

COVID VACCINE INFORMATION

Let's Play Ball!

Thousand Eyes Program

Florence Business License Renewals Due Monday, Feb. 1

LiftOff Shoals is a GO for 2021! 🚀

THE THREE GAME-CHANGERS

1855

1925

1933

1855

1925

1933

Congratulations To Florence Native, Mark Libell

NEXT COUNCIL MEETING

A little laugh...

How to Submit Your Event, News, or Announcement:

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Background Photo By: Johnny Raper