The process of demolishing the old DeKalb General Hospital is slowly making progress.
Fort Payne Mayor Brian Baine said the city received a $450,000 grant toward that goal. He was scheduled to meet today with Sara James, economic development and planning director with the Top of Alabama Regional Council on Governments (TARCOG), to determine what that money must be spent on as a requirement of receipt.
The hospital, located at the 1300 block of Forest Avenue in Fort Payne, has been cited as having multiple environmental hazards in addition to be generally regarded as an eyesore. It was built in 1950 and served as the countyâs hospital until 1986, then as a retirement community until 2003. It has sat vacant since 2013.
Last week, Twin City Used Cars and Cattle Stampede hosted a two-day holiday meal drive-thru giveaway.
With many families affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, especially during the holiday season, Twin City Used Cars owner Bobby Ledbetter and Cattle Stampede owner Miles Smith joined forces this holiday season handing out 2,000 meal bags to citizens of DeKalb County.
âDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, Iâve been going into every community handing out food to ease the load off somebody,â Ledbetter said. âItâs Christmas and families have enough to worry about.â
A multitude of vehicles filled the Northeast Alabama Agri-business Center in Rainsville last Monday afternoon to receive a meal sack.
Officers and volunteers throughout the county gathered at the local Walmart Supercenter last Tuesday afternoon to continue the annual Shop with a Cop event.
In previous years the county-based event saw children partnering with officers to help shop for Christmas gifts. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic this year, the event made some adjustments to continue.
Officer Jonathan Phillips said this year they gave officers the child or family s wish list and let them do the shopping.
âThe officer then will partner with another officer to go to the addresses, meet the kids in the yard and deliver the gifts,â he said.