The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for May 23, 2023

23 YEARS AGO
MAY 25, 2000

Weather observer Harry Ellis reported 0.95 inches of rain on May 21. He also reported a high of 92 degrees on May 17 and a low of 55 on May 15.

Groundbreaking held for new jail: What has been called by many a “giant step in the fight against crime” came one step closer to reality Wednesday.
The Conecuh County Commission joined with local law enforcement agencies and city officials to unearth the first shovelfuls of dirt at the site of the future Conecuh County Jail.
The new Conecuh County Jail will be a state-of-the-art facility consisting of slightly more than 21,000 square feet of floor space capable of housing 75 to 100 inmates with an additional component set aside for the housing of juvenile offenders. This facility is designed in compliance with all applicable regulations and practices for secure housing of inmates and will be built at a total cost of $3,368,194.
The project is scheduled for completion within 348 calendar days from Wednesday and will be located at the intersection of Liberty Street and Belleview Avenue in downtown Evergreen.

EverFUN opened Saturday: Ribbon-cutting ceremonies were held Saturday for the EverFun playground at Evergreen Municipal Park.
City officials as well as event organizers were present for the special event which concluded with a release of all children present into the playground.

48 YEARS AGO
MAY 22, 1975

Evergreen weather observer Earl Windham reported 0.8 inches of rain on May 14 and 0.4 inches on May 16. He also reported a high of 86 degrees on May 13 and lows of 60 on May 13 and May 18.

Honor students of the graduating class of Evergreen High School this year are Kim McNeil, valedictorian; Ola Mae Meeks, salutatorian; Suzzetta Rogers and Willie C. Johnson.

Lynn Cook Daw is valedictorian of the graduating class at Sparta Academy. She is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. John R. Cook.

Terri Rabun is the salutatorian of the graduating class at Sparta Academy. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Rabun.

Homer Duel Holland, son of Mr. and Mrs. R.T. Holland Jr., is the valedictorian of the graduating class at Conecuh County High School, Castleberry.

Victoria Pope, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Pope, is the salutatorian of the graduating class at Conecuh County High School, Castleberry.

Wynell Waren is valedictorian of the graduating class at Repton High School. Mitchell Bell is salutatorian at Repton High School.

Honor students in the graduating class at Lyeffion High School this year are Raymond Bruce, Christine Taylor, Debbie Grace, Jim Wiggins, Debbie Grimes, salutatorian, Elaine Salter, valedictorian, Ricky Gaskey and Albert Ball.

73 YEARS AGO
MAY 25, 1950

Seven persons lost their lives in a tragic auto-truck collision here early Saturday morning. The accident happened on the outskirts of Evergreen on the Loree road at about 6:15 Saturday morning. The site was within the city limits and the accident investigated by city authorities.

Fifteen members of the Evergreen Volunteer Fire Department received certificates at graduation ceremonies last (Wednesday) night ending the 12-week school and training program conducted here.
The following firemen received certificates: Chief Ed Carrier, Assistant Chief Forrest Douglas, C.E. Carrier, H.S. Dunn, J.H. Dunn, John Thompson, W.L. Thames, Henry Powell, James Nall, Winston Pierce, J.W. Weaver, Randolph Moorer Jr., Woodford Bolton, Wilbur Hamilton and A.B. Johnson.

Bill Langham will receive his high school diploma at Evergreen High School Friday night thus ending one of the most super-perfect attendance records ever compiled by a local student. Since he entered the first grade in September 1938, Bill has never been absent or tardy – 12 years of school present every day and on time every time.

Evergreen High School will award diplomas to 55 students at graduation exercises Friday night. The program will be held in Memorial Gymnasium to afford room for the large number of people expected to attend.

98 YEARS AGO
MAY 27, 1925

Knights of the Ku Klux Klan will hold on Open Air Celebration at the Old Ball Park, Greenville, Tuesday Night, June 9, 7:30 – Wonderful Fireworks Display, Public Naturalization of 150 Candidates, Address by a Noted Orator – A Special Train will be run by Konekuh Kounty Klan No. 74, and will leave Evergreen at 6:15 p.m. to return after Celebration, Fair For Round Trip Only $2.15 – THE PUBLIC IS CORDIALLY INVITED – Klan No. 12 – Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Greenville, Alabama.

EVERGREEN CHAPTER ROYAL ARCH MASONS ELECT OFFICERS: At a regular convention of Evergreen Chapter No. 127, Royal Arch Masons, held last Friday night, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: W.F. Betts, High Priest; Robert Long, King; J.T. Amos, Scribe; J.R. Brooks, Capt. Of the Host; J.F. Murphee, R.A.C.; G.M. Jones, Master of Third Veil; L.T. Rutland, Master of Second Veil; W.S. Dreaden, Master of First Veil; J.F. Dean, Secretary; J.T. Williams, Treasurer. Eleven new members were selected.

SSAS COMMENCEMENT: Tuesday night, Dr. A.F. Harmon, Superintendent of Education of Montgomery County, delivered one of his characteristic addresses to the graduating class (of the State Secondary Agricultural School) to a well filled house at the city school auditorium. The following named young men and women composed the graduating class and to whom diplomas were awarded: Lucile Barfield, Edith Cunningham, Mary Dean, Irma Kelly, Leona Moore, Leola Sanders, Voncile Smith, Erin Stallworth, Corinne Shaver, Mildred Williams, Henry Dey, Oliver Sanders and Howard Orr.