Tag: Education
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City of Eutaw holds ‘Tony Rice Day’
On Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 1:30 PM, on the old Greene County Courthouse lawn the Mayor and City Council of Eutaw, Alabama, held ‘Tony Rice Day’ to commemorate one year since the tragic death of Rice, a city worker, who died while repairing a sewage pipe in Branch Heights.
At the ceremony, one of his city worker colleagues said, “Tony was a wonderful person. He always had a cheerful, smiling, and friendly disposition to everyone. He was a great role model for the other city employees.”
Mayor Latasha Johnson proclaimed the day as ‘Tony Rice Day’ in Eutaw. She praised Rice for his dedication and loyalty to the city. “He was one of our best employees. He knew everyone in the city and was kind to everyone he worked with. He would wash his truck so often to keep it clean and looking good that I was worried that he would wash the paint off the truck.” Mayor Johnson gave his wife, Mrs. Decharo Rice, a plaque from the city.
Mrs. Rice thanked the city and his fellow employees for helping her to recover from the loss of her husband. She said, “I am still a broken person from this tragedy, but I am working to celebrate this day for him and you in love, joy and peace.”
At the end of the ceremony, which featured singing solos from some of the staff and friends, the audience released blue and white balloons to honor Rice. The City of Eutaw provided a box lunch for all who attended.
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Local Credit Union and Extension Office sponsor community gathering – Come Meet Your Credit Union
The Federation of Greene County Employees Federal Credit Credit Union (FOGCE) and the Greene County Office of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A& M University and Auburn University) partnered in holding a community gathering – Come Meet Your Credit Union. The purpose of the gathering, held June 15, 2023 at the Robert Young Community Center in Eutaw, was to bring more attention to the local credit union and its current services, promote a membership drive for the credit union as well as to proposed addition financial literacy workshops to residents, which would be scheduled and presented through the local Extension Service Office, where Mr. Doug Fulghum is County Coordinator.
Board members and staff of the FOGCE Federal Credit Union gave brief summaries of the history, committee roles, office procedures, loan process, and other relevant information on the operations and services of the credit union. Board Member. Board members also shared vignettes of how their membership in the FOGCE Federal Credit Union afforded them vital resources at very critical times in their lives.
Board participants included, Dr. Carol Zippert, President, Mrs. Darlene Robinson, Vice-President and Chair of the Supervisory Committee, Ms. Mollie Rowe, Board Secretary, Mr. Rodney Pham, Chair of the Credit Committee, Mrs. Jacqueline Allen, Mr. Jimmy Pasteur and Mr. Earnest Edmonds.
Mrs. Joyce Pham, Manager, assisted by Shaniqua Mayes, Clerk, shared information on membership intake and loan processing. Mrs. Pham noted that financial counseling is also available to members.
Mr. Doug Fulghum, Greene County Coordinator, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, gave a presentation of the various financial service workshops available to the community. A poll of those present indicated a great interest in topics such as financial management and budgeting, improving credit scores, benefits of saving accounts, growing equity through home ownership and more.
Following discussions on all the presentations, the credit union board pledged to volunteer payment of the $10 joining fee for anyone present at the gathering who joined the credit union. The new members would each pay at least the minimum share payment of $25 required for membership. Fellowship followed and refreshments were served. -
Black Women in Leadership in Greene County
Mrs. Phillis Branch Blecher is first Black woman to serve as CEO of the Greene County IDA.
Dr. Marcia Pugh is first Black woman to serve as CEO and Administrator of Greene County Health Systems.
Mrs. Loretta W. Wilson is first African American Woman to receive Community STARS Award.
Mrs. Phillis Branch Belcher, a native of Forkland, Greene County Alabama, currently serves as Executive Director of the Greene County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) since April 1992.
In this capacity, she has achieved accomplishments for the Greene County Industrial Development Authority in partnership with numerous organizations nationally and internationally, including acquired federal, state, regional and local funding for improvements to the Crossroads of America Port and Park.
She continues to work with local leadership for industrial and economic advancement for the citizens of Greene County, AL.
She also served as a Marketing Instructor at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa for one year.
She is a 1974 Graduate of Paramount High School and received her Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Montevallo, Montevallo, AL in 1977, earning a double major in Management and Marketing with a minor in Philosophy. In 1989, she earned a Master of Business Administration, Marketing from Adelphi University, Garden City, NY.
Prior to returning to Greene County with the IDA, Mrs. Belcher held the position of Senior Account Executive with XEROX Business Services, Syosset, New York from 1985 to 1992.
From 1978 to 1984, she worked with CMP Publications, Inc. of Manhasset, New York in Accounting, Information Technology, Sales, Marketing, Management.
Her professional committee and commission experiences include the following: Alabama Tourism Advisory Board, Montgomery, AL; Economic Development Association of Alabama, Montgomery, AL; Impact Alabama, Auburn, AL; Leadership Alabama, Montgomery, AL; Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Council, Columbus, MS.
Her voluntary contributions and community service include the following: Co-Founder Greene County Rotary Club; Co-Founder of Greene County Math and Science Camp Created t-shirt design; Founder of Leadership Greene County; Gear Up Alabama-Greene County; National Night Out City of Eutaw; Greene County Board of Education.
Mrs. Belcher is a Charter Member of the Greene County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; The Links, Incorporated where she served as President of the Tuscaloosa Chapter; Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated. She is married to Charles Belcher; they have two children. She is a member of Bailey Tabernacle CME Church in Tuscaloosa.
Dr. Marcia Pugh (DNP, MSN, MBA, HCM, RN) is the Chief Executive Officer and Administrator of the Greene County Health System which includes the Hospital, Nursing Home, the Physicians Clinic which is a rural health clinic and other specialty services. She is the first Black woman to hold that comprehensive role.
Dr. Pugh has worked over 50 years in the healthcare field and held many positions during her career in health systems in Anniston, Tuskegee, Birmingham and Demopolis, AL and Baltimore, Maryland.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Tuskegee University. She received her Master’s Degrees in Nursing and Business from the University of Phoenix where she did specialty courses in Health Care Management. She holds a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from The University of Alabama where she was inducted in Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She has also taken Health Care Management courses from Capella University and UCLA (the University of California in Los Angeles).
Being the first female CEO is not the only first for Dr. Pugh. During her 25 years at Whitfield Regional Hospital (previously Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital) she initiated the Grants, Research and Outreach of West AL (GROWestAL) grants division. This division operated for eleven years (until her move to Greene County) and was instrumental in bringing in over ten million dollars in grant funding to the organization and surrounding communities.
Dr. Pugh has two children. Her daughter, Dr. Nakieta Lankster, is a Clinical Psychologist and has her own practice. Her son, Barrown Douglas Lankster, who served a tour of duty in the Air Force, has given her the joy of a granddaughter who keeps her very busy.Mrs. Loretta W. Wilson is the first African American recipient of the Community STARS Award presented by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) at the annual celebration of National Rural Health Day, November 17, 2022 in Montgomery, AL. The annual celebration honors those who serve the vital health needs of nearly 61 million rural Americans. This award is presented to individuals and organizations making a positive impact in rural communities. Only one recipient is selected per state.
Loretta Webb Wilson is regarded as a passionate community leader and convener. Working to bridge health disparities and improve outcomes in the state’s poorest communities in Alabama’s Black Belt, she formed a team in collaboration with multiple organizations, agencies, and institutions, bringing COVID-19 education, testing and vaccinations to places where it mattered most. The results of her efforts are found in CDC data. For example, eight of Alabama’s top 10 most vaccinated counties are in the Black Belt.
Mrs. Wilson currently serves as the CEO of Hill Hospital in Sumter County. She has 31 years of experience working in rural hospitals and clinics where she has gained understanding of state and national healthcare policies and their impact on the health of rural residents. Additionally, she is the founder and Director of Rural Alabama Prevention Center, a non-profit organization, where she seeks funding to address social determinants of health issues afflicting West Central Alabama. Through her non-profit organization, she manages numerous grant programs and knows the importance of these programs are to addressing health services and new initiatives that would otherwise not be available. She currently serves on the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services (NACRHHS) where she provides feedback relative to the challenges rural healthcare providers face in providing quality health care.
Loretta Webb Wilson is a 1985 graduate of Eutaw (Greene County) High School, holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Stillman College in Business Administration; a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Healthcare Management from the University of Phoenix; and a Health Care Executive Program Certification from the University of California, Las Angeles (UCLA) Anderson School of Management.
She is a member of the Greene County Alumna Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and was featured in the Demopolis Times Pink Magazine 2011 Issue as one of the “Most Influential Women” in the community.
Mrs. Wilson is a member of New Generation Church, where she severs as Church Administrator, member of the Women’s and Inspiration Choirs, and Praise Team. She lives in the Dollarhide community with her husband Floyd and two children Zaddrick and Lauren. -
Covid-19
As of September 18, 2022, at 10:00 AM
(According to Alabama Political Reporter)Alabama had 1,512,134 confirmed cases of coronavirus,
(7,954) more than last week with 20,322 deaths (83) more
than last week.Greene County had 2,109 confirmed cases, no more cases than last week), with 51 deaths
Sumter Co. had 2,922 cases with 52 deaths
Hale Co. had 5,336 cases with 109 deaths
Note: Greene County Physicians Clinic has testing and vaccination for COVID-19;
Call for appointments at 205/372-3388, Ext. 142; ages 5 and up. -
Coronavirus Box as of August 6, 2022
As of August 6, 2022, at 10:00 AM
(According to Alabama Political Reporter)Alabama had 1,436,450 confirmed cases of coronavirus,
(14,690) more than last week with 19,974 deaths (84) more
than last week)Greene County had 2,056 confirmed cases, 13 more cases than last week), with 51 deaths
Sumter Co. had 2,826 cases with 52 deaths
Hale Co. had 5,190 cases with 109 deaths
Note: Greene County Physicians Clinic has testing and vaccination for COVID-19;
Call for appointments at 205/372-3388, Ext. 142; ages 5 and up. -
Newswire: Basketball legend Bill Russell dies at 88
Bill Russell showing some of his championship rings By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Boston Celtics Legend Bill Russell, one of professional basketball’s greatest players and the sport’s most crowned champion, has died at the age of 88.
Russell, who won 11 NBA titles as a player and two as a player-coach, died “peacefully” with his wife, Jeannine, at his side, a statement on social media said.
Jeannine said funeral arrangements are pending.
“But for all the winning, Bill’s understanding of the struggle is what illuminated his life. From boycotting a 1961 exhibition game to unmask too-long-tolerated discrimination, to leading Mississippi’s first integrated basketball camp in the combustible wake of Medgar Evans’ assassination, to decades of activism ultimately recognized by his receipt of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Bill called out injustice with an unforgiving candor that he intended would disrupt the status quo, and with a powerful example that, though never his humble intention, will forever inspire teamwork, selflessness, and thoughtful change,” the statement read.
It continued:
“Bill’s wife, Jeannine, and his many friends and family thank you for keeping Bill in your prayers. Perhaps you’ll relive one or two of the golden moments he gave us or recall his trademark laugh as he delighted in explaining the real story behind how those moments unfolded.
“And we hope each of us can find a new way to act or speak up with Bill’s uncompromising, dignified, and always constructive commitment to principle. That would be one last and lasting win for our beloved #6.”
President Barack Obama presented the Medal of Freedom in 2011, and Russell won five NBA Most Valuable Player awards.
He made the All-Star team in 12 of the 13 years he played in the league. The prolific big man finished his career in 1969 with 21,620 career rebounds, an average of 22.5 per game, and led the league in rebounding four times.
He grabbed 51 rebounds in one game, 49 in two others, and a dozen consecutive seasons of 1,000 or more rebounds.
Many viewed Russell as the greatest player in history until Michael Jordan arrived in the 1980s and 1990s and Lebron James in the 2000s.
Born in Monroe, Louisiana, in 1934, Russell’s family moved to the San Francisco area, where he attended McClymonds High School in Oakland.
He earned a scholarship to play at the University of San Francisco and helped lead the basketball school to an astounding 56 straight wins and back-to-back NCAA titles.
In 1974, Russell earned election to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1980, he was voted Greatest Player in the History of the NBA by the Professional Basketball Writers Association of America. He was part of the 75th Anniversary Team announced by the NBA in October 2021.
