Andalusia’s municipal court will soon have a new home, after the city council on Tuesday agreed to purchase a building on Opp Avenue for that purpose.
The council authorized Mayor Earl Johnson to negotiate the purchase of the building, currently owned by Chad Hughes and home to DigiPrint and Hughes Security and Sound. The agreed-upon purchase price is $185,000.
“We have a need to make some improvements for city court system and how our court operates,” Johnson said. “When I first began discussions about this need with the city judge, we had no idea this property might become available. I think this is a reasonable price, especially considering it is next to the police department.”
He said more space, as well as security, is needed for the court, which currently is held in the police department building.
Already, the police department and the library use the Hughes property for parking.
Johnson said he believes if the city doesn’t buy the building now, it will regret it in the long run.
In other business, the council:
• Approved an engineering contract with CDG Engineers for improvements to South Three Notch. Eighty percent of the project costs are being covered by the state.
Daniel Wells, an engineer with CDG, said the state plans to let bids on the project in December of this year. At present, he said, it’s important to get a traffic study completed while school is in session.
• Approved an ordinance setting a back-to-school sales tax holiday in the city on Aug. 2-4.
• Approved the transfer of a beverage license at Boland Lanes to the new owner, Don Dupree and Strikers Entertainment.
• Announced there are four openings on the Tourism and Relocation Committee; one opening on the Andalusia Housing Authority; two openings on the Board of Zoning Adjustments; and two openings on the Community Enhancement Committee. Anyone interested in serving on one of the committees or boards should contact city hall.
- Andalusia Star News
Those who regularly travel Stanley Avenue, should have a smoother ride by the end of the year.
The Andalusia City Council Tuesday approved a resolution authorizing the resurfacing of the street, which is actually Ala. Hwy. 55. The project will be done by the state, but had to be approved by the council because it is in the city limits.
The Department of Transportation plans to let bids on the project in June.
The paving project will extend from East Three Notch Street to the city limits.
- Andalusia Star News
The Covington County Chapter of the American Red Cross is hoping to raise some $20,000 with its annual “Taste of Covington County” event.
Chapter Executive Director Don Johnson said Monday this year’s event is “all about the food” and will be held on April 29.
“We’re focusing our efforts on the food,” Johnson said. “That’s what the event began as, and we’re making sure the event is all about the food. At the same time, we hope to raise $20,000 for our chapter’s local operations and disaster operations.”
The event works by allowing ticket holders to sample some of the county’s best food. Tickets are $15 each and are available through the chapter office on Hillcrest Drive, any board members and at the Andalusia Winn Dixie.
And as usual, vendors are needed to make the event a success, Johnson said.
“We want every restaurant, caterer, food wholesaler to the public– anything that has to do with food involved in this year’s event,” Johnson said. “We have some great new restaurants in the area, and we have some really exceptional caterers and bakers. We want them to get involved with this year’s event.
“What better place and time to promote your business than with a captive audience with the appetite ready to sample?” he said.
There is no cost for restaurants or other food vendors to participate – and in fact, they receive a donation receipt that can be used for tax purposes.
“The food vendors donate the food to sample, and in return, we issue them a tax-receipt so they can receive credit for their expenses,” Johnson said. “It’s a win-win for them. They get to promote their business and receive the credit for donating to a charity.”
Doors to the Kiwanis Center will open at 6 p.m.
Those wondering how the City of Andalusia creates such beautifully-planted pots can find out Thursday and Friday at the city’s Relay for Life team’s annual plant sale.
Vanessa Nelson, city horticulturist, said the sale will feature large trees, perennials, ferns, annuals, herbs, tropicals and a host of other delightful greenery. Prices range from under $10 and up.
“If you’ve ever wanted to know what we put in our plants, this is the time,” Nelson said. “Because whatever we don’t sell, you’ll see them in pots around town.”
All proceeds will benefit the Covington County Relay for Life.
The sale will be held Thursday at the city’s old skills building on South Three Notch, located between Greathouse Floors and Touch of Country, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. and on Friday on the Court Square from 8 a.m. until.
The city will also host a hamburger and hotdog sale as part of their Relay fundraiser.
- Andalusia Star News
The first week of business for Andalusia’s Tropical Smoothie wasn’t smooth, it was smashing, said co-owner Skip Enzor.
Enzor said sales reports showed the location ranked fifth in the world in retail sales for the week ending March 22.
“Out of the 350 stores total, we beat out four of the five Las Vegas locations but lost to a New York City store,” Enzor said. “It was the biggest opening ever for a store in our size market, corporate said. I thought we’d do about half the business we did. I’m just in awe and can’t say thanks enough to the people who came in.”
Enzor said business continues to boom – a trend he hopes holds in the future.