M adison RECORD WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 13, 2020 April 2020
345962-1 1
THE
PUBLISHED EACH WEDNESDAY
NEWS
THEMADISONRECORD.COM
FREE EDITION
Restaurants, gyms and churches cautiously reopen By STAFF REPORTS MADISON - Restaurants, salons, barber shops, gyms and churches were able to reopen Monday — subject to strict restrictions — pursuant to a revised COVID-19 health order announced this morning by Gov. Kay Ivey and State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris. While the 6-foot distancing requirement will remain in place
National Police Week
for non-work gatherings, the prohibition on gatherings of 10 or more people has been removed. This means funerals, weddings Gov. Ivey and church services can resume, provided they can maintain the 6-foot distancing.
The reopening of entertainment venues such as concert halls, movie theaters, museums, auditoriums, sporting events, night clubs and bowling alleys remain prohibited under the revised order, but Ivey said more revised orders relating to these venues may be issued in the middle of next week. “Let me be crystal clear to the people of Alabama,� Ivey said in announcing the loosening of re-
Tough Choice
Madison Police Department joins others throughout nation in honoring fallen officers. Page 2A
Generous Heart
LifeSouth, hospitals unite in antibody testing of COVID-19
Madison couple donates stimulus payment to help others. Page 3A
Need a Mask? Madison UMC Sewing Group creates 2,100 masks for city, hospitals and others. Page 3A
By GREGG PARKER gregg.parker@madisoncountyrecord.com
EDUCATION
PHOTO BY JOHN PECK / MADISON CITY SCHOOLS
Madison City Schools Board of Education members Luis Ferrer, Tim Holtcamp and Renae Bartlett take notes during the interview session for the candidates vying for the superintendent position. The school board now has to chose who will replace former superintendent Robby Parker.
Celebrating the Class of 2020 Three billboards across Madison are honoring members of the Class of 2020 at James Clemens High School. Page 6A
MCS school board to decide soon who will lead school district next
Senior Spotlight Area high school seniors highlighted in our ongoing series. Page 7A
Flover Alabama National Guard flyover honors those on the frontline. Page 8A
SPORTS
strictions. “The threat of this disease continues to be active and it is deadly.� While the order was issued by Harris, Ivey fielded a question as to why restrictions were being loosened despite a recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the state. Federal gating criteria recommend that states not fully reopen their economy until there has been a “downward trajectory� of See REOPEN Page 8A
Board’s pick will lead school district in uncertain future with COVID-19 Dr. Clayton By JOHN FEW news@themadisonrecord.com MADISON – All that is left now is waiting for the announcement of who will lead Madison City Schools into the future. The Madison City Schools Board of Education interview the candidates last week for the position. Four finalists were chosen last month, but the list was narrowed to three after one of the finalists took a position in California.
Lambert
Dr. Nichols
The position was left vacant by former superintendent Robby Parker’s departure in February. Assistant Superintendent Eric Terrell has been serving as the interim until the position is filled. Candidates for the position include James Clemens principal Dr. Brian Clayton, Bob Jones High School principal Sylvia Lambert and former Decatur City Schools superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols. Dr. Natasha Baker, the former Michigan DeSee INTERVIEWS Page 6A
MADISON – LifeSouth Community Blood Centers is pursuing partnership with local hospitals in antibody testing of recovered COVID-19 patients. With specialized testing, LifeSouth will help to identify possible donors of convalescent plasma from COVID-19 patients. On April 1, the FDA announced the importance of plasma donated from recovered COVID-19 patients as a critical tool to help patients that the virus has severely affected. LifeSouth moved swiftly to acquire the necessary equipment from Ortho Clinical Diagnostics and implemented a protocol to test those who have recovered from COVID-19. The first tests were conducted on individuals in Gainesville, Fla. who thought they may have had the virus but were symptom free. One donor did test positive for the antibodies and became LifeSouth’s first convalescent plasma donor on April 16. LifeSouth delivered the donated plasma to a local hospital for a patient in need. “As a local community blood center, we are fortunate to have the talent and resources to implement the antibody test quickly and start collecting convalescent plasma to help the patients who need it most,� LifeSouth CEO Nancy Eckert said. “This could mean life or death to those suffering. Our hospitals and the patients in the communities we See TESTING Page 8A
Football
Coach Don Shula Death of coaching icon hits close to home for James Clemens coach. Page 1B
New Rules AHSAA rule changes go into effect June 1. Page 1B
CLASSIFIEDS FIND JOBS INSIDE: There are plenty of jobs within today’s classifieds pages. See page 4A.
INSIDE Record ............ 2A Editorial........... 5A Education ........ 6A Sports ............. 1B
Business ......... 3B Kids................. 5B Church ............ 6B Lifestyles ......... 7B
Harvest teen pulled from wreck seconds before it catches fire By JOHN FEW news@themadisonrecord.com ARVEST - Shilah Harruff, 19, is very fortunate to be alive right now. The Harvest teenager was involved in a one-vehicle wreck last Tuesday at the intersection of Carters Gin Road and Nick Fitchard Road. According to family members, her vehicle flipped and rolled a few time then caught on fire. “If an off duty officer wasn’t coming home at the right time she wouldn’t be here,� said her sister Kiery Harruff. “God literally saved my sister’s life.� Volunteer firefighters said they received a call about a
vehicle fire with a possible entrapment. When they arrived on the scene they discovered that a Huntsville police officer had been able to remove Shilah from the car before it burst into flames. Her sister said that Shilah received multiple injuries. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, family members were not able to stay with her at the hospital. A gofundme account has been set up to help Shilah’s family with medical expenses. You can find by going to www.gf.me/u/ x2kckd. Shilah is a 2019 graduate of Sparkman High School.
CONTRIBUTED
A Harvest teen was pulled from this burning vehicle by an off-duty Huntsville police officer seconds before it burst into flames.
SAVINGS AROUND THE CORNER. Jason Zar i 7595 H ghw y 72 We t, M d 256-837 0551 • ge c .c m/ u t v lle Let us help you save on car insurance and more.
LOCAL OFFICE Somedisc u t . ov rages,paym n lans df atur sa n av labl i all tat i l GEICO m a r i l t ati EI g t d e vi a k v r m n m l y e In ra c C pa y W sh ngt !0076: B rk "ir H t"aw y # $ s %s & a y 'I() koŽ image Š 1999-!*!*+/2*!0 EI !0 25*75!
65-1
Madison Academy’s Evan Craighead preps for Naval Academy. Page 1B