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M adison RECORD WEDNESDAY November 15, 2023
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Supporting the arts
McCutcheon announces new initiatives in State of the County address
Handle with Care
By MARIA RAKOCZY maria@themadisonrecord.com
The National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC), Madison City Schools, and Madison police and fire announced the creation of the state’s first Handle With Care (HWC) program. Page 3A
Representatives from BJ’s Wholesale Club presented a $15,000 check on Thursday from BJs’ Charitable Foundation to help fund the arts in Madison City Schools.
Bourbon Bacon Pecan Pie
When Thanksgiving hosts and their guests ponder musthave desserts, one of the most common favorites is an oh-so-delicious pie. Page 5A
BJ’s Wholesale Club opens in Madison; makes huge donation to Madison City Schools By MARIA RAKOCZY maria@themadisonrecord.com
State bound!
Judges at the 2023 District 1 Trumbauer Theatre Festival gave accolades to drama students at Madison high schools. Page 6A
Snapshot
Check out these fun photos of the many ways schools in Madison honored our veterans last week. Page 7A
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INSIDE Local News........ 2A Living................. 5A Events................ 6A Sports............... 1B
Schools............. 4B History............... 5B Kids................... 6B Faith.................. 7B
16 pages • 2 sections
MADISON - Alabama’s first BJ’s Wholesale Club opened in Town Madison on Friday. The New England-based wholesale club is bringing its 25% off average grocery prices and its savings at the gas pump to Madison. The club makes Alabama the chain’s twentieth state in its recent nationwide expansion. Briana Keene, Senior Manager of External Communications for BJ’s Wholesale Club, said the Madison community has really embraced the store, “It’s been such a warm welcome that the community has given to us. This location is a great fit for us, and we’re just so excited about the reception that we’ve received so far for being here.” Likewise, BJ’s has returned the welcome and embraced the Madison community. They have already established a partnership with North Alabama Food Bank and made a significant donation to Madison City Schools art programs.
The check presentation was held at Midtown Elementary, led by kindergarteners singing kid classics “The Farmer In The Dell” and “Old McDonald Had A Farm” (above).Music and art teachers from the other elementary schools attended the surprise grant presentation under the guise of an important faculty meeting. Last Thursday, the day before the club’s grand opening, Head of Community Relations Emily McCann and Club Owner Tommy paid a visit to Midtown Elementary where they presented a check for $15,000 at a special pep rally. The money will fund
the fulfillment of Midtown’s music teacher’s wish list as the school grows its burgeoning arts program. Arts and music teachers from around the district were present for the presentation of the check, which See BJ’S WHOLESALE Page 8A
HUNTSVILLE – Quality of life was the biggest priority in Madison County Commissioner Mac McCutcheon’s first State of the County address last Tuesday. McCutcheon has been county commissioner since appointed by Governor Kay Ivey in January 2023 to fill the position vacated by Dale Strong to join the U.S. Senate. McCutcheon accepted the position after a tenure in the state legislature that included six years as Speaker of the House. McCutcheon said he draws from his experience in the legislature and the problem-solving abilities exercised in his ascent to Speaker of the House during a tumultuous time. He now support each county commissioner and serves the people of Madison County by advocating for improvements to the areas of public safety and transportation and infrastructure that most affect the quality of life in Madison County. “Your quality of life is the number one focus of your county government,” McCutcheon guaranteed in his address. In light of that focus, public safety is the county’s top priority in its upcoming initiatives. First responders, especially volunteer fire departments, are receiving bumps in funding and resources. The county is working on programs to increase staff and improve training and training facilities for county police. Training improvements include approaches to dealing with mental health in the community, to which McCutcheon says, “Madison County is taking a proactive approach.” The county is expanding the reach of mental health services with funding for more facilities and resources in rural areas. The county’s court system will be receiving increases in resources as McCutcheon reports the current system is strained by the over twenty-six thousand cases See STATE OF THE COUNTY Page 3A
Jean Downs accepts 2023 AUSA Volunteer Family of the Year Award By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com MADISON – Maj. (Ret.) Jean Downs and her family have been honored as Association of the United States Army or AUSA Volunteer Family of the Year for the AUSA Huntsville Chapter. Downs accepted the award at the 2023 Huntsville/Madison County Veterans Week Dinner on Nov. 10 at the Von Braun Center’s Saturn Ballroom. Jean and husband Jeff Downs are
parents of six children: • Brent, 32 – In mechanical engineering, bachelor’s degree at University of Mississippi and master’s degree at Mississippi State University. Madison resident. Works for defense contractor. • Brian, 30 – Will graduate from Ole Miss in December with bachelor’s degree in geological science. Served as Army Ranger with multiple deployments to Afghanistan. See DOWNS Page 8A
Maj. (Ret.) Jean Downs, third from right, accepts the Association of the United States Army or AUSA Volunteer Family of the Year Award. Attending the presentation were Brigadier General (Ret.) Jack Haley, from left, AUSA National Vice President of Membership; Jeff Downs; Mary Downs; Olivia Downs; and Marc Jacobson, Executive Vice President, Redstone-Huntsville AUSA Chapter.
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