INSIDE THIS ISSUE - Check out our photos from the 2024 Madison Bowl inside this week’s sports section
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By GRACIANN GOODIN graciann@themadisonrecord.com
New Rotary Clubs
Madison is fortunate to have two additional Rotary clubs to engage in projects to benefit the people of Madison, along with a broader perspective to regional and global outreach. Page 5A
MADISON – While Madison residents know Toyota Field as the home of the Rocket City Trash Pandas baseball team, the stadium will serve a more somber purpose this morning as the location for an upcoming 9/11 memorial stair climb. Beginning at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, a memorial service and stair climb will be held at Toyota Field, 500 Trash
Panda Way. The event is free and open to the public. In past years, local fire and police departments have held memorial services honoring the first responders who lost their lives during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This year marks the first time that an accompanying stair climb will be held in the area, though. The Trash Pandas Manager of Special Events Brooke Lack said that she saw Toyota Field’s potential as a space
for a memorial stair climb. The team then partnered with Madison Fire & Rescue and Madison City Police Department. Cities across the country host similar memorial services in which participants climb the equivalent of the 110 stories in the Twin Towers that firefighters climbed to save people 23 years ago. Some stair climbs limit participants to 343, the number of firefightSee 911 Page 7A
Madison Bowl thriller
School threat in Florida had local parents concerned due to similar county name
Memorial Blood Drive
Madison Street Festival’s overall atmosphere is one of carefree fun, but the event also entails causes for the community’s quality of life, especially the Elbert Balch Memorial Blood Drive. Page 5A
By MARIA RAKOCZY maria@themadisonrecord.com
Miles Major scrambles through a hole to set James Clemens in prime territory during a touchdown drive. Photo by Andrew Noles (Noles Nest Photography)
New pastor
At 21 years old, Rev. Matthew Bentley first felt the call to ministry, initially with his church’s youth. He now serves as pastor of Skyline Baptist Church in Madison. Page 5A
Packed stadium witnesses epic Madison Bowl game With the stands packed to field goal attempt Jets slam the door game-tying by Bob Jones to lock down the the gills, many people had to narrow 34-31 victory in the watch this contest standing on Bob Jones with Madison Bowl this past Friday. along the fence or from the The energy around Madi- concourse. field goal block The Jets (2-0) had led the son City Stadium was brewing By CALEB ODOM caleb@themadisonrecord.com MADISON - The James Clemens Jets blocked a possible
Oktoberfest
This year’s Oktoberfest at Redstone Arsenal will take place Sept. 13-15 at the MWR Activity Field and is open to the entire North Alabama community. It promises fun for all. Page 6A
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with anticipation for the rivalry showdown. Cars spilled out onto Celtic Road as fans struggled to find somewhere to park as the start of the game loomed.
majority of the game, but Bob Jones (2-1) had clawed back in the fourth quarter to take the lead at 31-27. James Clemens was able to See MADISON BOWL Page 4B
MADISON - The name Madison is fairly common for cities and counties throughout the nation. A mixup occurred last week that had local parents concerned until it was clarified by Madison City Schools Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols. A social media post regarding a threat referring to a school district that includes the name Madison was being circulated online and throughout the Madison community. This post is related to the Madison County Florida school district and not Madison City Schools. “The City of Madison Police Department and Madison City Schools district officials are all aware of this post and are working in conjunction to address reports related to this post,” Nichols said in an email to parents Sunday evening. “We appreciate everyone’s ongoing support of the safety and security of our schools by sharing information with both the MPD and MCS administrators.”
Two local businesses picked for state’s “Retailer of the Year” awards rant & Hospitality Group, a ChurchStreet Family multi-concept restaurant and hospitality group by Group and Epiphany Matt and Stephanie owned Mell with Boutiques honored nine locations in Huntsville and By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com MADISON - Two area businesses took top honors this year by being named “Alabama’s Retailer of the Year” and “Alabama’s Small Retailer of the Year” by the Alabama Retail Association. ChurchStreet Family Restau-
one in Athens, is Alabama’s Retailer of the Year in the Annual Sales More Than $5 Million category. The award was presented today at its Gates Avenue headquarters in Huntsville. The Alabama Retailer of the Year judges in this category, all former Retailers of the Year, chose the Mells and ChurchStreet Family for “the diversity See AWARDS Page 7A
ChurchStreet Family Restaurant & Hospitality Group was named Alabama’s Retailer of the Year last week.
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First responders to hold 9/11 memorial stair climb at Toyota Field
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