INSIDE THIS ISSUE - Plans heating up for the 42nd Annual Madison Street Festival, set for October 5
608235-1
sold
August 21, 2024
homes sold
WEDNESDAY
7,000+
50 cents • Published Every Wednesday
madisoncountyrecord.com
High School Football Kickoff
INSIDE
By MARIA RAKOCZY maria@themadisonrecord.com
This September, Congressman Dale W. Strong (AL-05) will host a 50th anniversary pinning ceremony for Vietnam Era War veterans who live in Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District. Page 2A
It’s August in Alabama—we all know what that means. Football season is upon us. In just a few weeks, some of Alabama’s greatest towns will be full of fans from across the country. Page 3A
Sparkman junior defensive lineman Jamarion Matthews is as strong of an athlete as you will find at the Class 7A school and is ready for the challenge of making this year’s squad a winner. Photo by Andrew Noles (Noles Nest Photography)
A NEW SEASON Matthews’ quest at Sparkman is to help turn around the program and head into playoff contention in 2024 By BOB LABBE bob@themadisonrecord.com
Events this week Check out some of the fun events happening in our area this week. Page 6A
Sailing to the Landing This Friday, the Niña & Pinta will open in Huntsville. The ships will be docked at Ditto Landing Marina, 293 Ditto Landing Road. Page 7A
ONLINE
INSIDE Local News ....... 2A Living................ 5A Events............... 6A Sports .............. 1B
HARVEST- High school football kicks off this week, and the Sparkman Senators have something to prove after last season’s team lost its last five games and missed the post-season playoffs in the Class 7A division of play. Second-year head coach Ronnie Watson knows every athlete and coach always have something to prove and he looks to the 2024 squad to turn around the way the previous season came to an end. The Senators will rely on emotional and physical strength to prove Sparkman has a tremendous attitude to be winners. Among the Senators with brawn is Jamarion Matthews (DL, 6-3, 245, Jr.) who has set the bar, literally, for all his teammates to strive for in their quest to turn around the program and head into playoff contention in 2024. “We just need more team leaders and yes, sir, I plan on jumping in as you have to have a big voice as sometimes people won’t listen, so you have to speak up,” said Matthews, who has a deep thunderous voice and who, just a junior, has received numerous colleges offers including from Louisville, Liberty, Samford, North AlSee FOOTBALL Page 5B
Schools ............ 4B History.............. 5B Kids.................. 6B Faith................. 7B
16 pages • 2 sections
The 2024 high school football season starts this week. You can read about the local teams and see their schedules in section B of this issue. You can also read more in the August issue of Madison Living Magazine (www.madisonlivingmagazine.com).
HUNTSVILLE – Melanie Thornton has been named the new CEO of Burritt on the Mountain. She is currently the executive director of Madison Visionary Partners (MVP), a nonprofit that focuses on community projects and public space initiatives in Madison. Under her leadership, MVP successfully raised over $2 million for projects such as the Madison Com-
munity Center and the Kids Kingdom Inclusive Playground. She also spearheaded the city’s first two public art murals. A press release from Burritt on the Mountain touted Thornton’s experience as an award-winning communications professional and public historian with a career spanning over 22 years across various sectors and leadership roles. “She brings a wealth of knowledge in nonprofit operations, See THORNTON Page 8A
UPDATE YOUR ORS WS& DO WINDO✓Free Estimates ✓Financing Available w.a.c.
256-229-2291
CALL TODAY! YOURHOMEWINDOW.COM
607167-1
MADISON – Two new restaurants are coming to Madison and were approved for liquor licenses at last week’s Madison City Council meeting. Big Whiskey’s, a Missouri-based bar and restaurant chain, was approved for their location in the former Shrimp Basket at 7814 Highway 72. According to a press release from Big Whiskey’s, franchisees Terry and Aimee Sims, have “secured the rights to establish three Big Whiskey’s American Restaurant & Bar franchises in the bustling Huntsville metropolitan area.” The Highway 72 location in Madison will be the chain’s first location in North Alabama and the second in the state after their Hoover location. It’s wide menu features wings, salads, sandwiches, steaks, burgers, pastas and more. It is expected to open later this year. The Beer Hog was also approved for a restaurant retail liquor license for their location at the former Madison Public Library building at 130 Plaza Boulevard. Originating in Pelham, The Beer Hog is known for its vast craft beer selection with 64 craft beers on tap at the bar and over 300 bottled options in its retail store. It also serves a food menu that stars a variety of thin crust, cooked-to-order pizzas. Councilwoman Maura Wroblewski expressed her gratitude to the property owner at the council meeting, “Just want to say thank you for your investment in Madison. We’re glad to have you here.” At the same meeting, an off-premises beer and wine license was approved for the former IGA convenience store on the corner of Old Madison Pike and Shelton Road. “This business is applying for an off-premises beer and wine license at this time because it is now under new ownership,” exSee CITY COUNCIL Page 2A
Melanie Thornton named new CEO of Burritt on the Mountain By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com
CHECK US OUT! Check out more local news, school stories, sports and events at themadisonrecord.com and find us on Facebook and Twitter.
themadisonrecord
Two new restaurants and a Piggly Wiggly coming to Madison
Pinning ceremony
College football NIL
@themadisonrecord
Your Home window c o m pa n y
Melanie Thornton, who has been the director of MVP, recently announced her departure to become the next CEO of Burritt on the Mountain.