SPORTS - Local teacher has her sights set on being the strongest woman in Alabama
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Betty Little’s blankets soften babies’ time at Madison Hospital By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com
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The first day of school last week saw a full circle moment at West Madison Pre-K. Page 2A
MADISON – Betty Little is one of those rare people who thinks more about others than she does about herself. This selfless person has embarked on her own ‘ministry’ to soothe Madison Hospital’s youngest patients. Little knits soft, cuddly blankets for infants who are receiving treatment at the hospital. “We are fortunate to be in a community that blankets us with support. Betty Little is a prime example,” Madison Hospital President Mary Lynne Wright said. “For the past few years, Ms. Little has been knitting warm, colorful baby blankets and hats
for our newborns. She came by the hospital recently to drop off some more of her beautiful handmade creations,” Wright said. “Madison Hospital’s nurses give the blankets to the babies and their parents. The blankets do go home with the patients. I know the staff are very thankful for volunteers like Mrs. Allen,” Renee Colquitt said. Colquitt is a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner or CRNP and earned Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Board Certification or NNP-BC. At Madison Hospital, Colquitt works as Director of Perinatal Services. “Betty Little provides something that most of us can’t -See BETTY LITTLE Page 3A
Betty Little, seated, comforts some of the most vulnerable patients at Madison Hospital with the knitted blankets that she creates for babies. Checking out Little’s latest designs are hospital employees Bless Stonecypher, from left, JoAnna Yoder, Lauren Treadway, Little, Kristine Taff and Renee Colquitt.
First day of school
Redstone welcomes first female garrison commander
Olympic spirit
Team Madison got into the Olympic spirit recently with their own twist on the Summer Games. The hard-working hospital staff took a quick break to compete for prizes. Page 3A
Events this week
Check out some of the fun events happening in our area this week. Page 6A
New Fantasy season
Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy has announced the four shows in its 64th season, and season tickets now are available. Page 7A
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REDSTONE - The Redstone Arsenal Garrison welcomed its first female garrison commander on Thursday. Col. Erin Eike assumed duties as the U.S. Army Garrison Redstone Arsenal Col. Erin Eike Commander Thursday. She will oversee support services for more than 65 organizations including NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. Eike is a native of Windom, Minnesota, and began her military career in 1998 by enlisting in the Minnesota National Guard. After she graduated from Minnesota State and Gustavus Adolphus College, she was commissioned as a second lieutenant. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in strategic studies from the U.S. Air War College. Prior to her assignment at Redstone Arsenal, Eike served as the chief of the Requirements Division in the J6 Command, Control, Communications and Computers Cyber, at the Pentagon.
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL - The first day of school for 2024 is in the books. Last Thursday, buses rolled, car lines crawled, and students shuffled in some enthusiastic, others begrudgingly - to start the new year. Teachers, principals and staffs embraced the new year with smiles, creative welcomes and a dedication to serve. Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols (pictured right) and Madison school board members were on hand to greet students returning to city campuses. Check out some more fun photos from the first day at Madison City Schools on page 3B.
DHR wants Kids to Love court case kept under seal By ERICA THOMAS www.1819News.com
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MADISON - The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) has asked a Madison County Circuit Court to seal public records in a lawsuit filed by Kids to Love. DHR stated that juvenile records should remain confidential and the entire case should be marked confidential.
Kids to Love, a non-profit founded by Lee Marshall, a former north Alabama news anchor, claims DHR’s suspension of referrals to the organization’s foster care homes and facilities is unconstitutional, illegal, void, arbitrary and capricious. The civil lawsuit claims that DHR director Nancy Buckner and other employees of DHR suspended referrals following
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the posting online of information about children in need of adoptive homes. Kids to Love removed all children’s information, which it said originally came from DHR. It also claimed they were not given notice about the suspension. Kids to Love is asking the court for preliminary injunctive relief by rescinding the suspension of referrals and reissuing its licenses.
“Defendants have exhibited their unconstrained resolve at operating outside of the Constitution, the law, regulations, and policies to violate the rights of Kids to Love, its licensed foster families, and children in foster care,” court documents filed by Kids to Love stated. The state claims those licenses have not been suspended. Still, Kids to Love has asked for See KIDS TO LOVE Page 8A